Because of economic pressures, the University System of Georgia has lost a bilion dollars in state funding over the last four years.  They have since decided to blend eight universities into four.

One of those 4 universities is the blended campus of North Georgia College and State University and Gainesville State College that will serve Forsyth County and surrounding communities in Cumming. It will be located next door to the Cumming Aquatic Center, off Pilgrim Mill Road.

The new facility, called "University Center Ga. 400 facility" is expected to be completed in July, 2012 and begin to hold classes in fall 2012.  The campus will be able to accommodate about 15,000 students and will offer a range of two- and four-year undergraduate programs, graduate programs and professional development. 

I have heard a little bit of concern about this venture but both current campuses will remain as-is with North GA's Dahlonega campus having a strong residential focus and Gainesville State's commuter base.

This new campus will add jobs and give students another avenue of study - both pluses for our county.  For more information visit the Campus Consolidation Website.

Do you need Vacant Home Insurance?

If you are planning on moving out of your home before you sell it, you may need special homeowners insurance. Many homeowners policies have a "vacancy clause" that's triggered if the home owner is gone for an extended period of time. Like if you move first then put your home on the market. That's because empty homes are more likely to have break-ins and there's a greater risk of small problems growing into big problems. "While an extra policy might cost more, it could save you money down the road," says Jane L. Cline, NAIC President. So don't get left with sizeable repairs on top of the other costs to sell your home. Check your homeowners policy today. Then call me to help you market your home.  Courtesy: www.realtor.org. October 2010.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners adopted an increase in the county's millage rate during a special called meeting Thursday, July 22, at a rate lower than the advertised, proposed increase. The vote followed the third of three public hearings held regarding the millage rate.  

The approved Maintenance and Operation rate is 4.734 mills, up from 3.834 mills in 2009. The approved Fire rate is 1.975 mills, up from 1.841 mills in 2009. The increase in these rates was approved to help offset projected deficits in the county's 2011 preliminary budget and the Fire Department's 2011 preliminary budget.  

The approved Bond rate is 0.947 mills, down from 1.196 mills in 2009. The reduced Bond millage rate reflects the debt service requirements for bonds in 2011.  

These approved rates represent a total county millage increase of 0.785 mills, compared to the advertised, proposed total increase of 1.48 mills.  

The millage rates adopted July 22 will fund the county's 2011 budget, which will be adopted toward the end of 2010.

So what does this do to my tax bill you might ask? Well, if you take last years tax bill to get the following values: fair market value and assessed value. Then use the new millage rate of 24.719 mills. Here is how to do the calculation:

Fair Market Value (F.M.V.) X 40% = Assessed Value

Assessed Value X .024719 = Tax.

Also remember that your Fair Market Value may go down this year. Property values as a whole have gone down and when you get your notice of value please make sure you take note of where your value is. Also remember that for the 2010 tax bill values are based on sales from 1/1/2009 to 12/31/2009 not today's sales. Please let me know if I can assist you once you get your letter of value.

Gorgeous Brick Beauty in South Forsyth County on a large level fenced lot. Fresh neutral interior paint and updated lighting fixtures makes this home shine. Large master suite with sitting area, his/hers closet, and lots of natural light. The master bath has gorgeous neutral tile and marble counters. The secondary bedrooms are a generous size too with guest bathroom centrally located with double vanity. Exterior painted 2 years ago and new roof in 2009. Professional landscaping completes this home to make it somewhere for you to call home.

Check out all of the fabulous homes in Cumming GA at www.searchhomesforsalecummingga.com and get packing!

CAN THE IRS TAX YOUR LOSS?

A lot of homeowners today are deciding to walk away from their house that is loosing value. You should be aware of the possible tax implications if you do a foreclosure. The IRS can consider the cancelled debt as a form of income and tax you on that in some cases. While debt used to buy or build a home might be exempt, debt from a cash-out refinance that was not used for the house is not. So if you took cash out of your home to fund your child's college tuition, buy a car, take a vacation or pay off credit card debt then that part of the mortgage might be taxable as income. It is always best to check with a real estate attorney or accountant before walking away from a mortgage that you might be upside down on before walking away from the house or even doing a short sale. I am always in favor of being aware of all the consequences before you take action.

One of the most desirable areas to live is South Forsyth County. Its schools have won many awards and the county has great parks, shopping, restaurants, and so much more. One of the great subdivisions which is located in South Forsyth County in Cumming GA is Saddlebrook Glen.

It is a swim/tennis community with a community playground, street lights, and sidewalks. The homeowners association recently changed the pool to a salt water pool which is so much better for your skin and eyes. This community is located near a large tract of land which will become another great county park in the future. It is also centrally located near The Avenues of Forsyth, Emory Hospital of Johns Creek, Northside Forsyth Hospital and so much more.

This community is slated for Big Creek Elementary, Piney Grove Middle, and South Forsyth High School. Big Creek was named as a winner in the 2009 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) and earned the GOLD AWARD for outstanding student achievement.

 In the area of schools that show the most progress or greatest gains in student achievement (from the 2008 to the 2009 school year),Piney Grove garnered a GOLD award. And in the area of schools that show excellence in student achievement with highperformance on their 2009 CRCT scores, Piney Grove earned a BRONZE award.

Newsweek has again recognized FCS' South Forsyth High School students and staff as one of the America's Best High Schools for 2010. According to Newsweek, they "pick the best high schools in the country based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced placement college-level courses and tests. Just over 1600 schools-only six percent of all the public schools in the U.S.-made the list". South Forsyth HS was named #199.

Saddlebrook Glen is a great place to call home.

Search for your new home at www.searchhomesforsalecummingga.com.

According to Steve Palm of Smart Numbers there was a 10.5% increase in single family detached home closings in May 2010 over May 2009. However, under contracts declined from April to May 2010 probably due to the tax credit. Home prices have stayed flat in most areas.

For May 2010 for the area located in the Cumming GA South Forsyth County east of GA 400 the average Sales Price was $301,175 and average days on market was 92.8 days. The active inventory in that area also dropped during May.

For the area located in Cumming GA South Forsyth County west of GA 400 the average Sales Price was $252,943 and average days on market was 99.3 days. The active inventory in that area increased during the month of May.

For the area located in Cumming GA North Forsyth County the average Sales Price was $193,501 and average days on market was 97.2 days. There was a slight increase in the number of active listings during the month of May.

Overall, there was an increase in the number of homes sold and average sales price in Forsyth County in May 2010 vs. May 2009.

If you are looking for a home in Cumming GA or have a home to sell in Cumming GA go to www.searchhomesforsalecummingga.com to check out all homes in the area or see what homes are selling for in your subdivision. Happy Hunting:)

Wait no more. Are you searching for a home in Cumming GA? The interest rates are at an all time low and maybe going lower. Housing prices are still extremely low. This is the best time to buy or sell to buy a larger home in Cumming  GA. Search for your next home at www.searchhomesforsalecummingga.com Check out these interest rates:

30 Year Fixed: 

4.750%  0.00 Points  

30Yr Fixed NO PMI:

5.125%  0.00 Points

FHA 30 Year Fixed:

4.750%  0.00 Points

FHA 5 Year ARM:

3.375%  0.00 Points

5 Year ARM Conv.

3.250%  0.00 Points

7 Year ARM Conv.

3.750%  0.00 Points

Jumbo 7 Year ARM:

4.750%  0.00 Points   

The DOW has now fallen almost 1000 points over the last month and could be heading  for lower levels in the near future.  The DOW's problems are good news for rates as money is flowing from the stock market into the bond market driving rates to 50 year lows.  The 10 year treasury (a barometer for fixed rates) is now standing at 3.32% which is almost .75% lower than several months ago.  If the DOW continues to fall, 4.5% 30 year fixed rates could become a reality before the 4th of July.  Rates at that level should certainly give a boost to home sales!!! 

Information provided Courtesy of Jeff Morris with Suntrust Mortgage. You can reach Jeff at 770-842-3480.

Interest rates are subject to change without notice.

A lot of todays homeowners would like to move but can not afford to make that move because what they paid for their home a few years ago is not what they can sell it for today. What is keeping Georgia's home prices down? Foreclosures continue to service as a major source of declining home values on residential real estate in Georgia. They keep the market from rebounding. At the end of 2009, 2.68% of all housing units in Georgia were in foreclosure, according to statistics compiled by Realty Trac. That number is up about 24% from the end of 2008 and up 80% from the end of 2007. It is the 7th highest foreclosure rate in the U.S. The following counties had the highest foreclosure rates in Georgia:

1. Newton with 7.42%
2. Walton with 6.46%
3. Henry with 6.02%.

Cumming, GA has continued to have a very low rate of foreclosures. While Forsyth County still has foreclosures, it has managed to stay stable with its home values over the past 6 months.

When will the foreclosures taper off so my home value will stablize and begin to rise again? Roger Tutterrow, professor of economics at Mercer University, says it all hinges on employment. "We need to see that the recovery has some legs with respect to job creation, and this isn't happening yet in Georgia," says Roger Tutterrow. Tutterrow explains that foreclosures tend to peak during the later stages of a recession and on into the recovery, which helps explain why foreclosures aren't slowing despite the fact that the recession is over. With the move of NCR's corporate headquarters from Ohio to hear in Georgia, we should see an influx of buyers for our homes as well as the creation of some jobs. It will just take time to weed through all the foreclosures and create some new jobs. All the signs are positive that we are heading in the right direction. At least NCR thinks so- they moved their company here.

Are you thinking of buying or selling your home in Cumming, GA or Metro Atlanta GA? Go to www.searchhomesforsalecummingga.com to search for all homes for sale in Metro Atlanta. If you want to find out what your home is worth go www.jennifermahota.com and go to the box labeled "Market Snapshot" and fill out the info. You will receive an amazing report of sales in your neighborhood/area as well as current homes for sale.

Are you considering putting your home on the market in Cumming GA and wondering what can you do to spruce it up without spending a lot of money? Well wonder no more. The following is a list of a few things that can make your home sparkle and stand out above the competition:

• Curb Appeal: You have to get people to come in the front door to win them over. If your home doesn't look appealing on the exterior the buyers won't make it through the front door. Keep your yard neatly cut and maintained, fill beds with fresh mulch or pinestraw, keep all shrubs trimmed to at least the halfway point of the bottom window pane, and add some color by planting a few flowers or adding a planter at the front door. Add an accent color by painting your front door a different color from the shutters.
• Paint: It is a very economical fix and can make all the difference. You want to be careful with your color choice so you appeal to the most buyers as possible. Always go with warm neutral tones. Your Realtor can help you with recommending some choices. Also, freshly painted trim and molding can make your home look very clean.
• The Kitchen: The kitchen is a huge part in everyones home. You can add new countertops (granite, silestone, corian) or a tile backsplash and instantly update your kitchen. Another inexpensive upgrade is replacing cabinet hardware with brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. Your Realtor can always help you with these choices to make your home appeal to the most buyers.

All of these can be accomplished very quickly and very inexpensively. Its amazing what a few minor improvements can do to a home's aesthetic appeal and value. If you have a home to sell call me and I would be happy to help you determine what would make your home show its best.