Marian Lancaster's Blog

So what do we REALLY know about today's market?

Marian Lancaster (Fred Williams New Home Sales, Inc) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:12:22 -0800

With so much conflicting information in the media today, I think it's time to focus on what we KNOW:

Fact - Currently interest rates are at an all time low.
Fact - Real estate prices are depressed and lower than they have been in years.
Fact - Real estate prices in some areas are going back up or have reached their bottom.
Fact - To be eligible for the tax credit your contract must be fully executed by 4/30/2010 with a closing date on or before 6/30/2010
Fact - Interest rates cannot stay this low forever, they are in fact anticipated to increase by the 2nd quarter of 2010.
Fact - The rise of inflation is inevitable and the one thing the Fed can control to combat this rise is raising interest rates.
Fact - In an effort to stimulate the housing market our government has extended the $8,000 tax credit for 1^st time homebuyer's, as well as for repeat homebuyer's ($6,500) for the purchase of a primary residence.

Isn't it time to "Go with what you know"?

Don't forget to file for Homestead Exemption in Georgia!

Marian Lancaster (Fred Williams New Home Sales, Inc) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:27:15 -0800

The following Q & A was posted by the Effingham County Tax Assessor's Office, and it's extremely informative for those of you who wonder if you qualify for Homestead Exemption. Who couldn't use a tax break?

What are the homestead exemptions offered by the State and county?
The homestead of each resident of the State of Georgia actually occupied as a residence and homestead on January 1 of the tax year, may be exempted from certain Ad Valorem Taxation providing the exemption is returned and claimed in the manner prescribed by law and approved by the County Board of Assessors.

All exemptions must be filed with the Tax Assessors office between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Application must be filed by April 1 to apply to current year.

Failure to make application within the prescribed time frame constitutes a waiver of the exemption for that year. Georgia law does not provide for extension of time for filing. All exemptions once approved, are automatically renewed each year until eligibility changes.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS IN EFFINGHAM COUNTY

Code	Exemption	County	County	School	School	State	Age	Other	Net	Fed. Adj.
	Type	Gen.	Bond	Gen.	Bond				Income	Gross
S1	Regular	4,000	-0-	2,000	-0-	2,000
SC / L10	Age 65	4,000	-0-	12,000		100% on Home & 10AC 2,000 on balance	65		No requirement <10,000
S3 / L12	Elderly - Age 62	4,000	-0-	10,000	10,000	2,000	62
S4 / L13	Elderly - Age 65	6,000	4,000	20,000	20,000	100% on Home & 10AC 4,000 on balance	65		<10,000
S5	100 % Disabled Veterans Un-remarried spouse	50,000	50,000	50,000	50,000	50,000		100% disability Un-remarried
SD	Age 65 100% Disable Veteran; Un-remarried Surviving Spouse Disabled veteran	50,000	50,000	50,000	50,000	100% on Home & 10AC 50,000 on balance	65	un-remarried un-remarried
SS	Surviving Spouse US Service member killed in action	50,000	50,000	50,000	50,000	50,000		un-remarried
SE	Age 65 Un-remarried Spouse US Service Killed in action	50,000	50,000	50,000	50,000	100% on home & 10AC 50,000 on balance	65	un-remarried
SG	Un-remarried Spouse Firefighter or Peace Officer killed in line of duty	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%		Un-remarried
S6	Elderly - Age 62	Floating On home Up 5 AC	-0-	2,000	-0-	Floating on home & up to 5 AC	62			<30,000
S8	Elderly - Age 62	Floating On home Up 5 AC	-0-	10,000	10,000	Floating on home & up to 5 AC	62		<10,000	<30,000
S9	Elderly -	Floating On home Up 5 AC	4,000	10,000	10,000	Floating on home & up to 10 AC	65		<10,000	<30,000
	To qualify for homestead exemption, a person must actually occupy the home and the home is considered their legal residence for all purposes. Persons that are away from their home because of health reasons will not be denied homestead exemption. If the age of the qualifying person is 65 or older, an exemption of 100% on the home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land may be granted for state purposes. Any qualifying disabled veteran ( Wartime Veteran - Totally disabled) may be granted an exemption of $50,000 from paying property taxes for state, county, municipal and school purposes. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable. This exemption is extended to the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor children. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-48) If the age of the veteran is 65 or older, an exemption of 100% on the home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land may be granted for state purposes. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-48.3) (Requires letter form Doctor verifying disability) The Surviving Spouse of a member of the armed forces who was killed in any war or armed conflict will be granted a homestead exemption from all ad valorem taxes for state, county, municipal and school purposes in the amount of $50,000. The surviving spouse will continue to be eligible for the exemption as long as they do not remarry. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-52.1) If the age of the surviving spouse is 65 or older, an exemption of 100% on the home and up to 10 contiguous acres of land may be granted for state purposes. The un-remarried spouse of a firefighter or peace office killed in the line of duty will be granted 100% exemption from all ad valorem taxes for state, county, municipal and school purposes. Effective June 1, 2005 there will be NO DEADLINE for filing for homestead. Applications can be filed year-round. APRIL 1 is the deadline for receiving homestead applications for the current year.

Success in 2009? How did THAT happen?

Marian Lancaster (Fred Williams New Home Sales, Inc) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:42:56 -0800

It's a common question lately - "You're a Realtor? Ohhh...so how's business?" My answer, in turn, is not what the asker usually expects. That's become BUSINESS is great! 2009 was a record year for our company, having contracted over 200 homes in the Savannah Metropolitan Area. This success was the result of years of planning and the vision of a brilliant man, as well as a daily dedication to working a solid business plan.

I am a member of the new home sales division with Fred Williams New Home Sales, Inc. and we promote the concept "More House, Less Money" while implementing the philosophy of "Do well by doing good". This combination of quality and customer service seems to be the key to our company's success.

Our sales team is comprised of eight of the top salespeople in the Savannah Metropolitan Area, with proven success records in the real estate industry. In addition to the sales agents, there is a tremendous network of support staff that is dedicated to improving and increasing the success of our department and company as a whole.

Our sales department operates like a well-oiled machine. Our staff is highly educated, with each member responsible for their own individual tasks. The overall philosophy at Fred Williams places a strong emphasis on research - more specifically market trends, competition, financing options, buyer demographics, and marketing. This research has contributed to the amazing success of our sales team, allowing the agents to offer buyers a more comprehensive reasoning for purchasing a Fred Williams Home, as well as allowing the company as a whole to plan for the future by looking at the past.

Research into market trends and competition allows our sales department to provide the maximum offering of energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal, while aiming to beat our competitor's pricing. Research of buyer demographics and marketing ensures that our message reaches the buyers that would benefit the most from our product. As financing has become such a changing entity throughout the past year, our company has managed stay informed and even anticipate issues so that our buyers were minimally affected, even to the extent of providing credit counseling to those in need.

"More House, Less Money" is a concept that was needed in our area. As the real estate bubble swelled around us years ago, Fred Williams began offering the concept of affordable homeownership for everyone, including larger families. He had his architects design a home that maximized usage and square footage, as well as reduce waste. He then began pioneering an environmentally friendly house, a concept that was foreign to most builders in this area. He had his construction department negotiate pricing with sub-contractors, demanding a higher quality job in return, while searching for land deals for subdivisions. He then passed all of these savings - from land development, materials, construction and ultimately utilities - on to the buyer. "More House, Less Money" has benefits that extend beyond simple square footage and price. Fred Williams homes are designed with maximum storage, functional living area, and energy efficiency in mind, and our buyers reap the rewards of that design and practicality daily.

As a sales agent, I am confident that when my customer purchases their home, they are getting an excellent value that will benefit them now and in the future, and that they won't hesitate to recommend a Fred Williams home to their friends and family.