Loganville, Dacula and Bethlehem Real Estate - The Rains Team

Good news potential home buyers!! The first time home buyer tax credit has been extended into 2010 and now there’s even a tax credit for those current home owners looking to purchase a home as well!

First Time Home Buyer Extended Tax Credit Basics:

• The $8,000 tax credit has been extended until April 30, 2010. As long as you have a written, binding contract in force by that date you have until July 1, 2010 to close.

• You will not have to repay this credit as long as you live in the home as your primary residence for three years or more.

• Eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, town homes and co-ops.

• You qualify as a first time home buyer if you or your spouse has not owned a home during the previous three years.

• Income limits have been increased: single buyers are now eligible with income limits of up to $125,000 and married couples are eligible with income limits up to $225,000

• This extension was put into effect on November 7, 2009

Current Home Owner Tax Credit Basics:

• Current home owners can get a credit of up to $6,500 when they sell their primary residence and purchase another home during the November 7, 2009 to April 30, 2010 time frame

• You qualify to get the credit if you’ve used the home being sold as your principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight

• The other factors such as which homes qualify, whether or not you have to repay the credit and the income limits are the same as the first time home buyer tax credit.

Now it’s a great time to buy in Georgia whether you’re a first time home buyer or one who’s lived in your home for at least five consecutive years. I would love to help you buy a new home or sell your current one! If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!

(Please note, information in this post was obtained from the article written by the National Association of REALTORS and can be found at this link: The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit.)

Also, if you have specific questions as to how this tax credit pertains to you or if you want more details please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800.829.1040

3. Be aware that large electronic files with attachments or lengthy faxes may be a burden on recipients.

4. Notify the listing broker if there appears to be inaccurate information on the listing.

5. Share important information about a property, including the presence of pets; security systems; and whether sellers will be present during the showing.

6. Show courtesy, trust and respect to other real estate professionals.

7. Avoid the inappropriate use of endearments or other denigrating language.

8. Do not prospect at other REALTORS open houses or similar events.

9. Return keys promptly.

10. Carefully replace keys in the lockbox after showings.

11. To be successful in the business, mutual respect is essential.

12. Real estate is a reputation business. What you do today may affect your reputation - and business - for years to come.

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

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.

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 it (lights, heating, cooling, drapes, etc). If you think something is amiss (e.g. vandalism) contact the listing broker immediately.




7. Be considerate of the seller’s property. Do not allow anyone to eat, drink, smoke, dispose of trash, use bathing or sleeping facilities, or bring pets. Leave the house as you found it unless instructed otherwise.




8. Use sidewalks; if weather is bad, take off shoes and boots inside property.

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It’s a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!

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 situation to the listing broker or the occupant.
6. Communicate with all parties in a timely fashion.
7. When entering a property, ensure that unexpected situations, such as pets, are handled appropriately.
8. Leave your business card if not prohibited by local rules.
9. Never criticize property in the presence of the occupant.
10. Inform occupants that you are leaving after showings.
11. When showing an occupied home, always ring the doorbell or knock - and announce yourself loudly - before entering. Knock and announce yourself loudly before entering any closed room.
12. Present a professional appearance at all times; dress appropriately and drive a clean car.
13. If occupants are home during showings, ask their permission before using the telephone or bathroom.
14. Encourage the clients of other brokers to direct questions to their agent or representative.
15. Communicate clearly; don’t use jargon or slang that may not be readily understood.
16. Be aware of and respect cultural differences.
17. Show courtesy and respect to everyone.
18. Be aware of - and meet - all deadlines.
19. Promise only what you can deliver - and keep your promises.
20. Identify your REALTOR® and your professional status in contacts with the public.
21. Do not tell people what you think - tell them what you know.

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It’s a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!

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?: You may claim one-third of the credit available in each taxable year, and may carry forward unclaimed amounts–essentially, you’ll receive this credit over the course of the next 3 years

Also, there aren’t any income restraints to this credit and as I mentioned before, this is not limited to just first-time home buyers. You just have to buy a single-family property within the time period.

Representative Ron Stephens said this about the bill: “I’m proud of Governor Purdue for signing this legislation, and I’m proud to have brought it before the state legislature. This bill will put people to work, reduce the inventory of unsold homes, and kick start Georgia’s economy.”

To determine the specific forms you need to use to obtain this credit, please contact your tax professional.

If you are a first-time home buyer and would like to learn more about the $8,000 federal tax credit, please read this article:
Understanding the New $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

It’s a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

(The information from this post was obtained from this article)

My office is cluttered and unorganized, which absolutely drives me crazy. So, last night I decided to start tackling this huge project…not to point fingers here, but it’s mostly my hubby’s mess that I’m trying to sort through. However, I did go through all the files in my desk and found a lot of things I didn’t need.

What does this have to do with saving money you may ask? Well, I found a magazine dated July 2008 that caught my eye–one of the headline stories was “Easy Tips to Save $1,000’s“–I knew I had kept this for a reason! Today I’ll share the tips on saving money through your mortgage, your bank or credit cards.

For previous articles of how to save money, click on the following links:

Simple Tips on How to Slash Your Grocery Bill

“If You Play With Snakes You’re Gonna Get Bit”

MORTGAGE TIPS:

* PAY THE POINTS: With most home loans, the biggest expense is the interest. One of the best ways to lower that expense is through the wise use of discount points–upfront fee paid to the lender. One discount point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Generally, the more discount points you pay up front, the lower the interest rate. This is also known as “buying down the loan.” A good rule of thumb: If you can recoup the cost of the points within the first 2 years through the lower monthly payments, go for the points.

• Example: You can get a 30-year fixed-rate $200,000 mortgage for 5.75 % plus 2 points (which cost about $4,000), or 6.75 % with no points. If you go with the lower interest rate you save $130 a month. It will take you about 2.5 years to recoup that $4,000 you had to pay up front to get the lower rate. However, over the following 28 years you will save $46,818 due to the lower interest rate and payments.

* PREPAY THE PRINCIPAL: Each month when you make your regular mortgage payment, write a second check for one-twelfth of the regular mortgage payment. Do this every month and at the end of one year you will have made the equivalent of 13 monthly payments. On a 30-year $200,000 mortgage at 6.75 % interest, this tactic pays off your mortgage in 24 years and saves a whopping $62,750 in interest.

* GO SHORT-TERM: Although your monthly payment may be higher, you can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest by shopping for the shortest-term mortgage you can afford. For each $100,000 you borrow at a 7 % annual percentage rate (APR), for example, you will pay over $75,000 less in interest on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage than you would on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

* DROP THE PMI: Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is extra insurance lenders require from most homebuyers who obtain loans that are for more than 80 % of their new home’s value. However, thanks to the Homeowner’s Protection Act (HPA), PMI is now automatically cancelled once your mortgage is paid down to 77 % of the original value of the property. Typically, PMI premiums range from $250 to $1,200 a year.

CREDIT CARD AND BANKING TIPS:

* PAY EARLY: Most credit card companies compute interest charges based on your average daily balance, so making your payment early in the billing cycle (as soon as you receive your statement rather than waiting until the payment is due) will save $5, $10 or even more a month. Why? Because you reduce the daily balance for more days in the cycle.

* JUST ASK: Tired of paying 16 % interest on your credit card balance? Pick up the phone and call customer service (the number on the back of your card). Ask for a lower rate. If you have a good payment history, chacnes are they’ll lower it on the spot. The difference between 18% and 7% on a $5,000 balance is $46 a month, or almost $600 a year.

* FIGHT THE FEES: If your credit card issuer smacks you with a fee, don’t be shy. Nearly all banks will waive at least one late fee ($15-$39) or over-limit fee (up to $39), but you have to ask. If you’re paying an annual fee (anywhere from $50 to $300) just to have the card, ask to have that waived too.

* PAY ONLINE: If you pay 15 bills a month by mail, you’re spending at least $75 a year in postage. Most large banks offer free online bill paying for customers that lets you pay any vendor, or you can also pay the vendor directly online. Go to your bank’s website or the vendor’s website to learn more.

You know, it’s a tough economy we’re in right now and whether you’re on a tight budget, struggling to meet ends each month or you’ve saved up some cash and are more flexible with your money, it doesn’t hurt to make the smartest decisions possible and find ways to save as much money as you can. I hope this tips helped you; as a first-time home owner myself, I learned a lot about mortgages through these tips.

I would love to hear what you’re doing to save money during our current economic times?

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!
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Photo Credit: AMagill

Original article was written by Mary Hunt and found in the July 2008 edition of Woman’s Day magazine

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 article is being turned into a book titled: “God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours” –it will be released April of 2010.

• Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
• It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
• Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
• Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
• Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
• Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
• Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
• It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
• When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• Believe in miracles.
• God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
• Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
• Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
• Your children get only one childhood.
• All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
• Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
• If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• The best is yet to come.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
• Yield.
• Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

I think that Regina really knows what she’s talking about! All of these tips and lessons are great ways to live your life and reminders that we only get one shot at life here on Earth. Which one was most meaningful to you?

For me, as a Christian, my favorite one is “The best if yet to come!” This one means the most to me because while this life is great, I know that I have an even better one in store for me in the future–eternity in Heaven with my Savior and Lord! Life on Earth is just preparation for eternity spent with God.

In fact, I’m reading an awesome book on Heaven by Randy Alcorn simply titled “Heaven.” I am just beginning it but so far it’s been very good–I’m learning a lot and it’s one that I would recommend every Christian to read.

So, please tell me, which Life Lesson means the most to you?

P.S. In case you’re interested…all the photos were taken by me while on my study abroad trip to Australia…a truly beautiful place! I would highly recommend a trip there if you’ve never been!!

Photos ©2009 Anne Rains Photography, All Rights Reserved.

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

Spring is the perfect time to clean out the garage, the attic and the closets (even under the kid’s beds) and have a garage sale! We’ve heard that listing agents are encouraging their sellers to have garage sales to help drive traffic and awareness! Better yet, organize a neighborhood-wide garage sale! Offer to help out your sellers with signs, balloons, post on your website, or make some lemonade! Here are a few tips to share.

PREPARATION

Preparing for a yard sale is hard work. Ideally, you should start working on your yard sale 3 weeks prior to the event. However, if you work hard, you can have it ready in 2 weeks. Well prepared yard sales can profit upwards of $800.00 or more.

Week 1: Spring Cleaning - choose one or two rooms a day and begin collecting items in the basement or garage.

Week 2 & 3: Organizing - sort, clean and price your items.

ADVERTISING

Place an ad in the local paper and any online garage sale sites. Craigslist, www.gsalr.com are some to consider. Large signs or banners placed at all the entrances to the neighborhood and directional signs throughout the neighborhood will bring in the customers and keep them shopping. Also balloons on mailboxes are always helpful to confirm you are open and not just cleaning your garage.

PRICING

Put a price tag on everything and ALWAYS be willing to negotiate.

Overpricing is the next hurdle…yard sales are for liquidation. Quality items should be priced less than half off the original price you paid. Overpricing can turn everyone away before they get to the garage.

DISPLAY/SETUP

What you have to sell and how much you have to sell are important factors as well. If you don’t have much to sell, then partnering with a neighbor is a good idea. Put everything in one driveway…you need “The Draw”. Walk the sale, re-organize items, always talk to the customers. Some people are too shy to ask for a price or to negotiate…being friendly can make a sale.

As the day progresses and tables get sparse. Consolidate items so that tables are always full.

THE DRAW

“The Draw” is very important. Although you should always advertise your sale in local papers and online, you still have to get customers to come to YOUR house.

Perception is everything. Bring some large items or “hooks” (furniture, play, exercise and lawn equipment, etc.) out onto the driveway. Your goal is to gain their interest. You can also put items out that you have no intention of selling, just to get customers in the garage. Yes, that’s right, you may have some items that you are on the fence about and you are not ready to part with at yard sale prices. Just don’t put a price on it, or, price it higher, you never know, it may sell.

Sell popcorn, lemonade, cookies, water…these are other ways to get people to your house.

(posted by Suzanne Geddes, Marketing/Graphic Designer for AnotherME)