If you listen to the media, they would have you to believe that there are foreclosure properties on every corner. Since most of our news comes from Atlanta, you have to remember that real estate is local. What has happened in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Cobb counties does not reflect on Dawson County. The number of foreclosure properties in Dawson is not even percentage wise anything close to areas such as Gwinnett County.
However there ARE and HAVE BEEN foreclosure properties in Dawson County, and there will continue to be as the economy remains unstable. What does this mean to you, a homeowner?
If there have been foreclosure properties in your neighborhood, this may have affected the value of your home. If you question the assessed value of your home on your property tax bill, you can file a Residential Property Tax Return. 
Between January 1 and April 1, you may contact the Dawson County Tax Assessors Office and file a Residential Property Tax Return. You can download/print the Property Tax Return Form however you must file this form in person.
Home Owners would declare what they believe is the true value of their property. The return then goes through a process exactly as an appeal would, and will be reviewed by the Board of Assessors. By law, assessors are required to set(or change) the value of your property by January 1st of each year.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the assessor will agree with your assessment, but by filing this return you stand a chance of have your property value adjusted, and therefore your property taxes reduced.
Other ways to save:
Homestead Exemption- If you purchased a home this year, you may file a Homestead Exemption between January 1 and March 1. To qualify for a homestead exemption,the property must be owned by the taxpayer and occupied as his or her legal residence. Once recorded, it will automatically renew every year.
Senior Citizen Exemption- Persons who are 62-65 years old may qualify for this exemption.(qualifying age depends on income) Contact the Tax Assessors office for details.
There are a few other exemptions you may examine such as exemptions regarding land used for agricultural purposes.
For more information, I encourage you to visit the website:
or contact the office at :
78 Howard Avenue East, Dawsonville
706-344-3590 ext. 236
I'm committed to providing you with the most up to date information regarding the real estate market in Dawson County.
Kimberly Wilson, Your Dawsonville Real Estate Specialist!
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