real estate: All About Georgia Property Taxes: Part 2
- 07/06/09 05:21 AM
In the first part of this short series I explained what the Georgia property taxes are based on, how the assessed value is determined and what a millage rate is. Today I'm going to discuss the homestead exemption and how to appeal tax assessments. If you want to catch up on the first part, click the link: All About Georgia Property Taxes: Part 1
Homestead Exemption: In Georgia, the most common exemption people apply for is the Homestead Exemption, which allows Georgia homeowners to receive a reduction in the tax assessed against their primary residence. This exemption and most other … (0 comments)
Come sit on the large rocking chair front porch and cool off with a glass of sweet tea. Or enjoy the stacked stone fireplace and built-in shelving in the family room.
You'll love the over-sized master bedroom with its trey ceiling. And the master bath is spacious and features dual vanities, a garden tub, separate shower and … (7 comments)
real estate: All About Georgia Property Taxes: Part 1
- 06/25/09 05:40 AM
If you are a Georgia homeowner, especially a first-time home owner, you may be curious to learn more about the property taxes you're required to pay. In this first part, I'll explain some general information about Georgia property taxes, how the valuation and assessment process works and what a millage rate is.
To begin with, all Georgia property is subject to paying property taxes, called "ad valorem" taxes which means a tax based on the value of the property. The ad valorem tax is based upon the value of both the house (the improvements) and the lot on which the … (4 comments)
real estate: Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for Property
- 06/22/09 03:36 AM
The following are some professional courtesies that every REALTOR should strive for. Using good manners is important in this business that is built on relationships. These 8 suggestions are all ways that show respect for property.
1. Be responsible for everyone you allow to enter listed property. 2. Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied. 3. When showing property, keep all members of the group together. 4. Never allow unaccompanied access to property without permission. 5. Enter property only with permission even if you have a lockbox key or combination. 6. When the occupant is absent, leave the property as you found … (11 comments)
real estate: Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for the Public
- 06/08/09 06:20 AM
The following are some professional courtesies that every REALTOR should strive for. Using good manners is important in this business that is built on relationships. These 21 suggestions are all ways that show respect for the public.
1. Follow the "Golden Rule" - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 2. Respond promptly to inquiries and requests for information. 3. Schedule appointments and showings as far in advance as possible. 4. Call if you are delayed or must cancel an appointment or showing. 5. If a prospective buyer decides not to view an occupied home, promptly explain the … (10 comments)
real estate: Additional $1,800 Tax Credit for Georgia Buyers
- 06/05/09 04:06 AM
Georgia buyers can now receive an $1,800 tax credit in addition to the $8,000 federal tax credit. Governor, Sonny Perdue, signed House Bill 261 on May 11, 2009.
The $1,800 tax credit is only available for six months; you must close on a home between June 1 and November 30, 2009 to receive this credit. Here are the other important details: AMOUNT: the credit is equal to either 1.2% of the purchase price or $1,800, whichever is lesser WHO QUALIFIES: this credit is for ANYONE purchasing a home between the deadline--NOT just first-time home buyers! HOW DO YOU RECEIVE IT?: … (6 comments)
real estate: 45 Life Lessons We Should All Learn...
- 05/28/09 03:01 AM
My awesome team leader, Janice Baldwin, sent these life lessons to everyone this morning. It was written by Regina Brett, a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. In the e-mail it talked about how Regina had just turned 90 years old; I had never heard of this woman before so I did a little research. I found her website: ReginaBrett.com and as it turns out she just turned 50 in 2006...so the e-mail floating around is inaccurate as to her age, but still contains a wonderful amount of life lessons we can learn from. According to her website, the following … (8 comments)
real estate: Children Say the Darndest Things...2nd Graders Reveal Why God Made Moms
- 05/24/09 12:01 PM
I received the following e-mail that contained answers by 2nd graders on "Why God Made Moms." Their answers were too cute for me not to share this! I love listening to children; hearing their answers to various questions--some of the things they come up with are so very sweet and other things they say are just hilarious! I think you'll enjoy this and hopefully it'll make you smile and laugh a little. Not sure what the weather is doing in your part of town, but here it's rainy and thundering...hope this brightens your day up a bit!
Why Did God … (4 comments)
real estate: Roasted Red Pepper Soup: Yummy and Healthy!
- 04/03/09 05:59 AM
While in Crested Butte, Colorado last week I had the best roasted red pepper soup at the slope-side restaurant, 9380 Prime. It had such a great flavor and it was so smooth, it was the perfect lunch. Well, when I got home I began craving it and decided to look on the Internet for a close replica. (I thought about first calling the restaurant and trying to beg the chef for the recipe but decided to try it on my own first!) I found a great recipe from the blog, Kerala Kitchen and decided to try it out...I wasn't let down, it … (27 comments)
real estate: Successful Day of Skiing :-)
- 03/22/09 03:02 PM
Well, after I got out all my nerves and anxiety, skiing was tons of fun and went well! It took a little bit to get my groove back but finally I was turning and moving down the hills with no problem! Skiing is a bit like riding a bike, once you've done it before you can always pick it back up again--even if it's been two years!
The picture below is part of the new lodge built in the center of the resort. Isn't the architecture beautiful? I love the camp fire too! They keep it going all the time; you just sit … (15 comments)
real estate: Sean's American Bistro: Excellent Restaurant in Buford, Georgia
- 03/20/09 02:07 AM
Last night I had the privilege to eat at a great restaurant in Buford, Georgia for the RETechSouth dinner; it was Sean's American Bistro in the live, work, play community called Buford Village. The atmosphere was terrific, I met a bunch of neat people and the food and drinks were amazing!
In case you're unfamiliar with the Buford Village development, it is conveniently located on Buford Highway at the Hamilton Mill intersection. This multi-function community sits on ten acres and 30,000 square feet of office space, 23 luxury town homes and 55,000 square feet of retail shops. These stores and … (6 comments)
real estate: Harbins Park Grand Opening Celebration!
- 03/19/09 05:00 AM
Well, I'm very excited to share that Harbins Park is having their Grand Opening this Saturday, March 21st! I have enjoyed watching the progress of the park as it was being created and let me tell you, it's going to be a really great place to exercise and hang out!
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the park at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the celebration will last until around 2:00 p.m. Some of the free activities include: hay rides, crafts, pony rides, face painting and bike safety demonstrations. Also, people from local mountain biking and equestrian will be … (6 comments)
real estate: Just Celebrated My 1st Wedding Anniversary!
- 03/16/09 08:45 AM
Yesterday, March 15th, was my first wedding anniversary! As I look back at the previous year I'm suprised it flew by so fast! Seems like Matt and I have only been married for a few months!! Although we dated for 4 and 1/2 years before marrying, this year of married life has certainly taught us a lot about each other. I think that we've certainly learned to communicate better and we're realizing that marriage is hard work...it's easy to let work and Active Rain and other things become your focus. But in order for your marriage to thrive and become great … (23 comments)
real estate: Are You Going to RETechSouth?
- 03/16/09 07:37 AM
Well, I'm getting so excited about RETechSouth!! It will be here in just a few days and if you haven't registered yet, you still have time! Register today for this great technology and networking event--it will be so worth your time and money, especially with great speakers such as Jeff Turner, Matt Fagioli, Brad Nix, Missy Caulk, Teresa Boardman, Kelly Koehler, Ginger Wilcox and many, many others! With so many great speakers flying in from across the country to talk about a wide range of topics from Social Media, Marketing, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, Google, Blogging to just about anything related to … (26 comments)
real estate: Take Down the Bird Feeder
- 03/10/09 03:12 AM
**Please note: I did not write this; I received it in an e-mail and thought the analogy behind the poem was a good one. Not sure who the author is, except that the beginning says "Maxine" tells it like it is.**
Photo By: *clairity* Take Down the Bird Feeder
The analogy is absolutely right on . . . Maxine tells it like it is!!!! I bought a bird feeder. I hung It on my back porch and filled It with seed. What a beauty of A bird feeder it is, as I filled it Lovingly with seed. Within a Week we … (15 comments)
real estate: Want to Learn More about Blogging?
- 03/09/09 02:46 AM
Calling all real estate professionals. Do you want to learn more about blogging? Maybe you would like to create a free blog or perhaps you are a seasoned blogger but would enjoy knowing more about Search Engine Optimization (SEO), how to embed videos and maps into your blog and adding widgets to enhance your blog. Well, I have the solution for you: Matt Rains from Real Estate Technology Online is teaching Blogging 101 and 102 courses over the next couple of weeks. The next course is tomorrow at Virtual Properties Realty in Duluth, Georgia. Blogging 101 will be from 9 a.m. … (9 comments)
real estate: Remember to Change Your Clocks Tonight!
- 03/07/09 08:05 AM
Well, it's time to SPRING FORWARD tonight (March 7), so don't forget to turn your clocks forward one hour. You will lose an hour of beauty sleep tonight; however, we're gaining an extra hour of daylight--gone are the days of it being dark around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m.! I always love this time of the year because it means that Spring will be here shortly and with Spring come the beautiful flowers and warm weather that I enjoy so much. It's also a good idea to change all the batteries in your smoke detectors; remember to change them again when we … (59 comments)
In the first part of this short series I explained what the Georgia property taxes are based on, how the assessed value is determined and what a millage rate is. Today I'm going to discuss the homestead exemption and how to appeal tax assessments.
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