Half of people surveyed by Relocation.com moved to improve their living situation. This is a huge improvement from last March when the majority of people moved due to the recession.
•26% moved to live in a bigger or better home
•24% moved into a better neighborhood
•12% moved to be closer to family or friends
•9% moved into an area with a lower cost of living
•6% moved due to a change in marital status
•3% or less for each of the following: school, job loss, retirement, or foreclosure
For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com
On August 20, the first phase of the credit card bill that was approved in May took effect.
Key changes in the way credit cards work include:
1.Customers will now receive 45 days notice, up from 15 days, before interest rates increase. 2.The minimum balance due can increase by no more than two times the percentage that it previously has been. 3.Bills must be mailed 21 days, up from 14 days, before the payment is due.
The balance of the bill's provisions will become effective in February. Until then, consumer advocates' concerns center around credit card issuers continuing to increase rates, lower credit limits, decrease rewards programs, and close inactive accounts. Credit card companies reaffirm these actions are not due to legislation but decreasing credit scores.
This bill intends to help consumers control credit and unknown expenses. As consumers consider buying or selling a home, knowing monthly expenses becomes increasingly important in understanding how much they can afford and are comfortable spending on housing.
For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com
I wanted to know if anyone else has common sense defying Short sale transactions with the banks right now???
I have 2 deals both initial buyers have walked, BPO and banks appraiaslas are done. 2 new cash offers wanting to close ASAP!!! one is full price offer no closing costs.
Instead of the banks alowing us to change the names and details on the contracts and getting the deal done we are been told we have to submit as new still under the same case number but the whole process will start again.
They will give us nothing in writing to give to the clients but they will say they can take again as long as 3-6 months to review. Review what???? I would love to be taking these said contracts and expiditing them for the bank to get the deals closed. Come on Foreclosure should not be an option neither should negligence!!!
For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com
"Cash for Clunkers" began July 24 with such overwhelming demand that the program, originally set to expire November 1, burned through funding with amazing speed. In the first week alone, the incredible demand depleted the entire budget of $1 billion. A second round of $2 billion in funds extended the program's life by a few weeks, but the program ended on August 24 with no plans to revive or extend it.
The success of the program has put 690,000 new fuel efficient cars on the road and has saved jobs in the auto industry. In some cases it has even brought laid-off employees back to work. For example, GM announced plans to reinstate almost 1,400 employees and add overtime for a substantial number of existing employees.
The government's $8,000 first time-home buyer tax credit has also seen tremendous success with first-timers making up 30% of all buyers in July. First-time buyers made up as much as half of all buyers in earlier months this year. As the tax credit reaches its expiration, the government may take a similar approach as with the Cash for Clunkers program- declaring it a success and unwinding the program.
For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com
For the latest information on roads and disaster assistance, please visit: www.DouglasCountyEMA.com.
Douglas County Debris Removal Douglas County and West Georgia Waste are placing dumpsters in community locations - not at individual houses - with the location assistance of FEMA. If you need assistance in debris removal, call the Cedar Mountain Landfill at 770.920.4937, extension 105. The Cedar Mountain Landfill will be open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, October 17th, to accept debris from the flood at no charge to Douglas County residents (proof of address required), residential customers only (commercial disposal not eligible). The Cedar Mountain Landfill is located on Cedar Mountain Road northwest of Douglasville. Cross the railroad tracks at Rose Avenue/Hudson's BBQ, make an immediate right, then an immediate left on to Chicago Avenue. Continue for 3.8 miles (Chicago Avenue changes its name to Cedar Mountain Road) and the landfill will be on your right. Remember that we have a recycling center at the Landfill!
City of Douglasville Debris Removal For City residents, the City Sanitation Department will pick up items damaged as a result of the flooding. If you live within the City limits and have water-damaged items, contact the City Sanitation Department at 770.920.3005 or e-mail to sanitation@ci.douglasville.ga.us.
Douglas County Road Updates: www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com New Openings: Capps Ferry Road Bridge over the Chattahoochee River Pool Road between Berea Road and Post Road
Free Assistance
For help with debris clearing, re-building, removing belongings, call the United Methodist Church Disaster Relief Help Desk at 678.533.1443.
For help getting the mud out of your house, call Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief at 1-800-460-6881.
Affected residents can call 211 or 678.623.2859 for local assistance from United Way agencies and volunteer groups registering with United Way. Volunteer organizations can also call 678.623.2859 to donate time, labor, materials and money.
Contractors There is no such thing as a FEMA construction contractor. FEMA provides funds to individual homeowners and businesses to help recover but does not hire contractors. Beware of people representing themselves as FEMA contractors. Get their "business" card and report them to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department at 770.949.5656. Please use Douglas County contractors and businesses for your repairs. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, or the County. If you use a local business, then you know where to find them if you have problems later on. Out-of-town contractors will be long gone.
Call the Sheriff's Office The Douglas County Sheriff's Office asks that you call them at 770.949.5656 to report anyone seen looting any damaged home or any suspicious people or activity in Douglas County, particularly in the flood-damaged areas.
Volunteers Needed to Read to Children Thursday To assist with early literacy efforts and to get books into the hands of children, United Way is partnering with Jumpstart to read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to over 70 pre-school and elementary school classrooms in Douglas County this Thursday, October 8th. To volunteer to read in a school this Thursday, please call the United Way of Douglas County at 678.623.2861 or e-mail hnutter@unitedwayatlanta.org.
We only send emails to people who signed up for the newsletter through www.celebratedouglascounty.com or who requested to be signed up by phone.
For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com
Market Comment - Week of October 5th, 2009
Mortgage bond prices rose last week pushing mortgage interest rates lower. Consumer confidence came in weaker than expected helping rates rally Tuesday morning. The ADP employment release showed more job losses than expected. The employment report Friday morning confirmed the ADP payroll data indicating the US economy shed 263,000 jobs in September.
For the week, interest rates fell by about 7/8 of a discount point.
Another round of Treasury auctions hits the market this week. Solid foreign demand will help rates remain the same or improve. Signs that foreign demand is diminishing will not bode well for mortgage interest rates. Weekly jobless claims set for release Thursday will carry a bit more weight than usual due to the lack of other economic data.
Economic Factors
Economic Indicator
Release Date Time
Consensus Estimate
Analysis
3-year Treasury Note Auction
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009
None
Important. $39 billion of notes will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.
10-year Treasury Note Auction
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009
None
Important. $20 billion of notes will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.
Consumer Credit
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009
Down $9.5 billion
Low importance. A significantly larger than expected figure may lead to lower mortgage interest rates.
Weekly Jobless Claims
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
None
Moderately Important. A measure of employment. Job weakness may help rates improve.
30-year Treasury Bond Auction
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
None
Important. $12 billion of bonds will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.
Trade Data
Friday, Oct. 9, 2009
$33 billion deficit
Important. Affects the value of the dollar. A falling deficit may strengthen the dollar and lead to lower rates.
Professionals
Obtaining a mortgage is often a confusing task that can also lead to frustration. The reason for the confusion is due to the fact that mortgage financing is complex. The good news is that this complexity provides consumers with options and choices best suited to fit their needs.
Everyone's financial position is unique. Some people have large cash reserves that can be used for down payments while others want to get into a home with little or no money down. Credit ratings vary from person to person. In addition, future plans vary. Some people plan on staying in their home for the rest of their lives while others only plan on staying for a few years.
These facts alone make comparing your mortgage to your neighbor's based on rate alone a flawed endeavor, yet many people attempt to do so. Admittedly, everyone wants a good deal. Keep in mind that comparing rates is just one component of the entire mortgage. Other variables include the term, down payment requirements, income qualifications, credit ratings, reserve requirements, current debt, prepaid points, and many more.
A mortgage professional is able to take all of these variables that are unique to each individual and help a person obtain the mortgage loan that works best for their situation. The service they provide is time consuming and complex. However, the rewards of dealing with a professional carry forward throughout a borrower's life. Making wise financial decisions today helps to pave the way for a safe and secure future.
So Many times it is easy to give up, especially when there is no real long term pain associated with the failure. But what if there was?? Would we keep trying, do things differently. Reduce our House price because the kids education is worth more?? Be honest with our clients and their expectations even if it means not getting the listing.
What do we truly gain if we quiton what that little voice is telling us we know we should really do.
This guy has no choice and every reason to quit but he doesn't.
Unemployment is now at 9.8%...so when you go to the store this weekend, count all the people... nationally that 10th person is unemployed. And it won't improve for a while. We've lost so many jobs that if we added jobs at the rate we did from 2002 until 2007, in 5 years we'd still be at 7-8% unemployment. I count my blessings EVERY day. But, don't let this get you down... the Atlanta market is one of the BEST in the nation for housing....and speaking of housing -- which in my opinion will lead us out of this recession -- we have some good news.....
The Case-Shiller Index came out this week and while house prices nationally show a decline from 2008, the month to month stats show a majority of the cities have home prices maintaining or increasing in value. So house prices are starting to go back up. In other good news for housing, pending home sales came in far above expectations as people take advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. And there is strong sentiment in DC that this program will be extended for six months. Email or call your senator or representative!
This week, because of unemployment and a week economy, rates dropped again into the 4's, ranging between 4.5% and 5.25% depending on credit, points and program.
For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot CheckOut the latest Douglas county happenings and for further information about Metro Atlanta. If you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Douglasville or Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com
FLOOD INFORMATION UPDATE - Friday, October 02, 2009
For the latest information on roads and disaster assistance, please visit: www.DouglasCountyEMA.com.
Douglas County Debris Removal The Cedar Mountain Landfill will be open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, October 17th, to accept debris from the flood at no charge to Douglas County residents (proof of address required), residential customers only (commercial disposal not eligible). The Cedar Mountain Landfill is located on Cedar Mountain Road northwest of Douglasville. Cross the railroad tracks at Rose Avenue/Hudson's BBQ, make an immediate right, then an immediate left on to Chicago Avenue. Continue for 3.8 miles (Chicago Avenue changes its name to Cedar Mountain Road) and the landfill will be on your right. Remember that we have a recycling center at the Landfill! If you need assistance in debris removal, call the Cedar Mountain Landfill at 770.920.4937, extension 105.
City of Douglasville Debris Removal For City residents, the City Sanitation Department will pick up items damaged as a result of the flooding. If you live within the City limits and have water-damaged items, contact the City Sanitation Department at 770.920.3005 or e-mail to sanitation@ci.douglasville.ga.us.
City of Douglasville Road Updates
Chapel Hill Road - contract awarded to Butch Thompson Enterprises for work starting immediately; 800' of the northbound lane required to be removed and replace; expected re-opening in mid October
Creekwood Drive, Arbor Station - engineering being completed; no re-opening date yet set
Prestley Mill Road/Slater Mill Road - engineering being completed; no re-opening date yet set
Cindy Drive, Rolling Hills - engineering being completed; no re-opening date yet set
Rose Avenue - road expected to re-open by October 7th
Parkway Circle, Arbor Station - contract awarded to Carr Contracting for work starting immediately; one lane of traffic open
Arbor Parkway, Arbor Station - street is open but will be closed for repair work after Parkway Circle repair work is completed for traffic flow
Road Updates Please visit www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com for the latest list of road closures in both Douglas County to www.ci.douglasville.ga.us for updates in the City of Douglasville. Georgia Highway 166 at Anneewakee Creek will be closed for approximately one year since the bridge is going to have to be completely replaced. This bridge is located approximately 1/2 mile west of the Y where Georgia Highways 92 and 166 converge near Boundary Waters Park.
Opened Today: Mack Road at Deer Lick Park
FEMA Community Relations Staff in Douglas County FEMA Community Relations staff is visiting homes throughout the County to assess damage and to ensure that citizens are getting the help they need. They will be wearing official FEMA shirts and have official FEMA identification badges.
Graham Bingham - driving a dark gray Subaru Forester, tag number GA ARF1907
Mike Bridges - driving a red Mazda, tag number GA AWE8507
Sally Fenley - driving a grey Toyota Corolla, tag number FL 711LYU
All official FEMA representatives have official FEMA identification and most likely will be wearing FEMA apparel. If someone represents to you that they work for FEMA or have been contracted by FEMA, ask for identification. If they don't have official identification, call 911 and report them. Give 911 their car description, car tag number, and person description.
Latest Disaster Assessment Statistics from the American Red Cross for Douglas County Homes Destroyed: 153 Homes with Major Damage: 120 Homes with Minor Damage: 34 Homes Affected: 10
If you had storm or flood damage to your home or business, please register for FEMA and other assistance. Call 1-800-621-3362, log on to www.fema.gov, or walk in to one of the Disaster Recovery Centers at the following locations that are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.:
Disaster Recovery Center Lithia Springs 1st United Methodist Church 3711 Temple Street at North Sweetwater Road Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Disaster Recovery Center Heritage Baptist Church 8800 Rose Avenue at Selman Drive Douglasville, GA 30134.
Call 211 or 770.614.1000 for non-government/charitable/Church assistance and for locations where affected residents can receive other assistance such as clothing, food, water, etc.
For help with debris clearing, re-building, removing belongings, call the United Methodist Church Disaster Relief Help Desk at 678.533.1443.
For help getting the mud out of your house, call Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief at 1-800-460-6881.
Beginning Monday, October 5th, affected residents can call 678.623.2859 for local assistance from United Way agencies and volunteer groups registering with United Way. Volunteer organizations can also call 678.623.2859 to donate time, labor, materials and money.
Water The Boil Water Advisory has been canceled. The water is safe to drink and to use.
Volunteers Needed to Read to Children Next Thursday To assist with early literacy efforts and to get books into the hands of children, United Way is partnering with Jumpstart to read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to over 70 pre-school and elementary school classrooms in Douglas County this Thursday, October 8th. To volunteer to read in a school this Thursday, please call the United Way of Douglas County at 678.623.2861 or e-mail hnutter@unitedwayatlanta.org.
Thursday, October 1st: "Douglasville Celebrates Photography" and "Images of Shaanxi" Exhibit Opens at the Cultural Arts Center 6 p.m. Opening Reception, Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ On view through October 30th GALLERY TALK AND TOUR: Sunday, October 4th, 3 p.m., with Ed Krebs and the China Bridge 8652 Campbellton Street, 770.949.2787, www.artsdouglas.org
Friday, October 2nd: "Movies in the Park" at Clinton Nature Preserve At Dark: "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" ~ Free Admission, Open to the Public ~ Bring your lawn chair or blanket a program of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners through its Parks and Recreation Department
Saturday, October 3rd: St. Theresa's Catholic Church Fall Festival at Clinton Nature Preserve 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ Food, Entertainment, Fun and Games, Raffle Lynne Cole, 678.838.9760
Saturday, October 3rd: Midway Methodist Men's BBQ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Church, 1930 Midway Road ~ $8 per plate, $5 children's plate James Austin, 404.578.5608
Saturday, October 3rd: New Manchester Elementary School Fall Festival 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the School, 2242 Old Lower River Road ~ Moonwalk, Slide, Games, Cake Walk, Silent Auction, Food and Drinks ~ $8 admission New Manchester Elementary PTA, Lara Deatherage, 678.294.5770
Sunday, October 4th: Blessing of the Animals at St. Julian's Episcopal Church 3 p.m. at the Church, 5400 Stewarts Mill Road ~ Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ Celebrating the life and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi ~ Public is invited to bring their pets for a blessing ~ You do not have to be a member of the Church Rev. Stewart Tabb, 770.949.9949
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HAPPENING SOON
Tuesday, October 6th: "ABC: Abstract - Baroque - Collages" Exhibit of Citizen Talent Opens in the Courthouse Gallery 4:30 p.m. Opening Reception, third floor, Douglas County Courthouse ~ Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ On view through October 29th a program of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners through its Department of Communications and Community Relations
Tuesday, October 6th: Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Evaluations For children 1st - 6th Grades ~ Register at Central Baptist Church or West Metro Church of God ~ Basketball for Boys and Girls, Cheerleading for Girls Only ~ Evaluations at West metro Church of God on October 6th and 9th 770.942.9492, register on line at www.cbc-douglasville.org
Wednesday, October 7th: Monthly Testing of the Weather Sirens/Weather Warning System 12 noon, throughout the County, weather permitting ~ monthly test that sounds the sirens and does not mean that severe weather is approaching
Saturday, October 10th: Scouts to Clean Dog River ~ Come Join Them! 8 a.m., Riverwalk Community Recreation Facility ~ Part of Rivers Alive, a program of the Adopt-a-Stream Program and Keep Georgia Beautiful James Hembree, 770.843.6215, www.RiversAlive.org
Saturday, October 10th: 2nd Annual Vulcan Materials Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride 8:30 a.m., Vulcan Materials, 25 Old Rock Quarry Road, Villa Rica, to begin a 50-mile escorted ride ending at Quaker Steak and Lube, Arbor Place Mall ~ $20 single/$30 double Kathy Key, 770.459.3582
Saturday, October 10th: Rabies Vaccination Clinic to Benefit Douglas County 4-H 9 a.m., Douglas County Courthouse Parking Lots ~ $10 per pet, limited to 170, pre-pay by Thursday, October 8th to guarantee your shot UGA Cooperative Extension, third floor, Douglas County Courthouse, 770.920.7224
Saturday, October 10th: 1st Annual West Georgia Outdoor Beer Festival to benefit Camp Twin Lakes 12 noon, Taco Mac, 7397 Douglas Boulevard ~ Beer Tasting, Music, Prizes ~ Must be 21 to attend the outdoor event
Saturday, October 10th: "Dancing Under the Stars" Street Dance for the American Diabetes Association 6 p.m., O'Neal Plaza ~ $5 per person, $15 for families ~ Live Bands, Food and Drinks, Games, Info on Diabetes Wellness, Diet and Prevention Becky Lewis, 404.751.7874
Saturday, October 10th: Courage Concert at Tributary to Benefit the Wounded Warrior Project 7 p.m., Tributary Founder's Park, 9914 Ashford Green Way ~ Good Music, Good Beer, Good Company, Good Cause ~ Tickets at the Gate ~ Tributary Fall Festival All Day ~ Open to the Public www.woundedwarriorproject.org, Sara Skinner, 678.213.3659
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Government Meetings and Notices
Douglas County Board of Commissioners: www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com Douglas County Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville ~ 770.949.2000 Work Session: Monday, October 5th, 10 a.m., Commissioners' Conference Room, Third Floor, Courthouse Commission Meeting: Tuesday, October 6th, 10 a.m., Citizen's Hall, Courthouse Commission Meeting televised live on dctv23 and simulcast live on www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com NO PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING FOR OCTOBER DUE TO THE LACK OF APPLICATIONS
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City of Douglasville Mayor and Council: www.ci.douglasville.ga.us City Hall, O'Neal Plaza at Church Street, Historic Downtown Douglasville ~ P. O. Box 219, Douglasville 30133 ~ 770.920.3000
Douglas County School System: www.douglas.k12.ga.us 9030 Georgia Highway 5 at Gurley Road (next to Hunter Park) ~ P. O. Box 1077, Douglasville 30133 ~ 770.651.2000
CHARACTER WORD FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 5TH: RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY Respecting the authority of others in official positions
Thursday, October 8th: Annette Winn Elementary Parent University Workshop Series Making the Grade, Grades 3 - 5 - grade-level workshop to help parents understand what their child will be learning and how they can help ~ 6 p.m. at the school for parents Denine Pope, 770.651.3148
Thursday, October 8th: North Douglas Elementary Workshop Series How to Help Your Child with Writing Skills - learn quick tips to help your child improve writing skills ~ 8:30 a.m. at the school for parents Susan McCoy, 770.651.4828
Thursday, October 8th: Stewart Middle School Workshop Series Internet Safety for Students and Parents ~ learn how to be safety conscious while on the Internet ~ 6:30 p.m. at the school for parents Denny Bridges, 770.651.5460
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Douglas County Chamber of Commerce: www.douglascountygeorgia.com 6658 Church Street, Douglasville ~ 770.942.5022 Thursday, October 8th, 8 a.m., Coffee and Card Exchange, Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Midway Road at Fairburn Road Tuesday, October 20th, 12 noon, Public Safety Appreciation/Heroes Luncheon, Downtown Douglasville Conference Center
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Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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