Homestead Exemption - Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry County

Homestead Exemption Georgia - Henry, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton

 

Homestead Exemption Crunch Time!

If you purchased a home last year and are eligible for homestead exemption but haven't filed as of yet, you better get busy!!! The deadline for most of the southern crescent counties is April 1st! Homestead is a valuable exemption that may reduce the amount of property taxes that you owe provided that you owned and occupied the property as a primary residence as of January 1st. Here are some helpful links and information that you may want to view:

• Clayton County Homestead Exemption
  • 121 S McDonough Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-477-3311
• Coweta County Homestead Exemption
  • 22 East Broad Street, Newnan, GA 30265 770-254-2670
• Fayette County Homestead Exemption
  • 140 Stonewall Ave West, Fayetteville, GA 30214 770-461-3652
• Henry County Homestead Exemption
• 140 Henry Pkwy, McDonough, GA 30253 770-288-8180
• 164 Burke Street, Stockbridge, GA 30281 770-288-7999

When applying for homestead you will need a copy of your warranty deed that was mailed to you after closing by the attorney's office. If you do not have this and need it to file, please let us know and we'll be happy to obtain a copy for you! It is highly recommended that you call the local tax office prior to filing to make sure that you have everything that you need as each county may have different procedures and/or requirements.

If you miss the deadline, don't fret. You can actually file for homestead at any point during the calendar year but it won't applied until the following year. Have questions? Please don't hesitate to call or email us (but remember, we're not CPAs or Attorneys!)

Warning!!! If the homestead exemption was applied to your property when you purchased it (due to the previous owner's filing), it will vanish if you don't apply for yourself. This will then cause the property taxes to increase!! Once you apply for homestead, it applies for the lifetime that you own the property so long as the exemption exists! Don't miss out -- file asap!

Metro Atlanta Food / Restaurant Scores

Metro Atlanta Restaurant Food Scores

 

 

 

 

If you're curious about your favorite restaurant's food/health score, use
the links below to find out what their most recent scores have been!

 

• Butts County
• Cherokee County
• Clayton County
• Cobb County
• Coweta County
• Dekalb County
• Douglas County
• Fayette County
• Forsyth County
• Fulton County
• Gwinnett County
• Henry County
• Newton County
• Rockdale County
• Spalding County

  

Metro Atlanta Median Home Prices

Metro Atlanta Median Home Prices

 

Median home prices for North Fulton County, Central Fulton County, South Fulton County, Fayette County, Coweta County, Cobb County, Cherokee County, Gwinnett County, Dekalb County, Douglas County, Paulding County, Henry County, Rockdale County, Butts County, and Clayton County, Georgia.

If you would like more real estate information specific to your city or even your subdivision, please give us a call or email us! We would be happy to help in any way possible!

Foreclosure Notices are DOWN in Metro Atlanta!

Foreclosure Notices are DOWN in Metro Atlanta!

 

 

 

 

The AJC is reporting that Metro Atlanta foreclosure notices are at their lowest level since mid-2007! [Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!] This is GREAT news! Their stats read that there are 4,531 foreclosures advertised for March auction across the 13 Metro Atlanta counties. This is down significantly from the height of the foreclosure crisis in 2010 where the number reached as high as 13,834!

 

And let me tell you... boy, can we tell a difference in the inventory level! While this is wonderful news, it can make finding the perfect home take a little longer than what it used to. There's not as much to choose from and multiple offer situations are almost a given. I spoke with an agent the other day about one of our new listings that had multiple offers (14 within 4 days) and she said it best when discussing this interesting market - "it's like every house I show goes under contract before I can back out of the driveway."

 

I'm not sure that there is a secret in this market because it's just so tough, but if you find a property that you're interested in, you MUST act fast! View it as quickly as possible (2 days later is almost always 2 days too late!), write an offer as quickly as possible, and come in STRONG. It's not a pressure/sales tactic, it's the truth. This market isn't for the sloth paced buyer nor the buyer who wants to negotiate the price down $25,000 on a well priced foreclosure. You will be outbid every time. Not only are you competing against other home buyers but investors with deep pockets as well! We talked to one Realtor the other day who represents a NY based investment group with a goal of purchasing 3500 homes in Georgia. They're purchasing site unseen and offering more than the asking price in many cases.

 

This market is unique. It takes a great amount of patience, perseverance, and determination if you're a buyer.

 

If you're a seller, expect to see a slight (and by slight, we mean SLIGHT) increase in home values. The southside of Metro Atlanta took a much bigger hit than the north side, so when you hear the local news talk about appreciating home values, remember that we have a lot more recovering to do than most of Metro Atlanta. Our values will slowly come up, but don't expect any big jumps.

 

To read the full AJC article, visit:

http://www.ajc.com/news/business/foreclosure-notices-at-lowest-level-in-years/nWL7Q/

 

The Highest Priced Listings in Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, and Rockdale Counties!

The Highest Priced Listings in Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, and Rockdale Counties!

 

Check out these beautifully unique properties!

Butts County:

1501 Fincherville Road, Jackson                 $850,000

Click here to view additional photos of this property!

 

Clayton County: 

3287 Bay View Drive, Jonesboro             $1,900,000

 

Click here to view additional photos of this property!

 

Coweta County:

 



90 Walton Road, Newnan                          3,499,000

Click here to view additional photos of this property!

 

Fayette County:

 



319 White Springs Lane, Peachtree City   $2,700,000

 

Click here to view additional photos of this property!





Henry County:

3435 Jonesboro Road, Hampton                $2,400,000

Click here to view additional photos of this property!

 

Rockdale County:

 

2101 Adel Drive, Loganville                    $1,900,000

 

Click here to view additional photos of this property!



 

 

We must give credit where credit is due!
These awesome properties are provided courtesy of:
1501 Fincherville Road   Butch Springer | Springer & Associates Realty
3287 Bay View Drive   Bill Barton | Bill Barton Realty Co.
90 Walton Road   Clay Henderson | Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's 

319 White Springs Lane   Joan Velsmid | Harry Norman Realtors

3435 Jonesboro Road   Clay Henderson | Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's
2101 Adel Drive   Felicia Parker | Mutual Home Realty Co.

 

NOTE: This information was gathered from the GA MLS system and is deemed accurate as of 1.24.13

 

 

 

 

 



Real Estate in Numbers: Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, & Henry Counties

 

Real Estate in Numbers:
Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette & Henry Counties

 

We're noticing a change in the local real estate pattern ... for the past few years it seemed that we were on a steady decline in home values; however, 2012 has been a much different market and in some ways, even more challenging than the previous years because of low inventory. If you're in the market for a new home, you may have noticed that every home seems to have multiple offers and goes to a "highest and best" situation in which buyers bid over the asking price for the property. These competitive situations are pushing the average sales prices up little by little. I guess it all goes back to basic economics - supply and demand. In our current market place, there doesn't seem to be enough inventory for the amount of buyers that are out there. Not such good news for buyers, great news for sellers! If we can hold this new pattern, we may just see an improving real estate market. It's hard to predict what the future will hold and there's still talk of banks releasing their "shadow inventory." While none of us hold the crystal ball to the real estate future, we can study trends and patterns to and make our best prediction as to where the market is heading... here's the scoop:

2012 Christmas Events on the Southside of Atlanta: Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Rockdale Counties

2012 Christmas Events on the Southside of Atlanta:
Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Rockdale Counties
(Conyers, Fayetteville, Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough,
Newnan, Peachtree City, Senoia, Stockbridge, & more!)

 

 

Looking for holiday events on the southside of Atlanta?
We've got you covered...

COWETA COUNTY: 

Light-Up Senoia, Parade and Tree Lighting

December 1st at 4p (parade begins at 5:30p) at corner of Travis & Main Street
Entertainment, music, food court, parade, meeting of Santa & Mrs. Claus, and Secret Santa Workshop so that children can do their Christmas shopping early! Santa will light the tree immediately after parade and stay to hear from all of the boys and girls!

 

Senoia's Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes

Sunday, December 9th from 5-8p, tickets are $12 in advance/$15 at door (sold at Senoia Welcome Center or at various downtown shops)
Tour 6 historic homes along with the beautiful santuary of the Senoia United Methodist Church. As a special treat, the featured homes on this year's tour will include the 2012 Southern Living Idea House. The Church's Chancel Choir will present mini concerts of holiday music between 5:15-7:30p.

Newnan's Annual Christmas Parade: "A Merry Musical Christmas"

December 2nd at 3p beginning at the city park at the corner of Temple Ave & Jackson Streets and will continue down Jackson, through the court square, and out on LaGrange Street to Newnan High School.

Newnan's Candlelight Tour of Homes
December 7th at 4pm, call 770-400-2380 for more info.
Piedmont Newnan Hospital Auxiliary welcomes visitors to its annual tour of stately homes decked out for the holidays.

 

Christmas Tea with Santa, Madeline & Winnie-the-Pooh & More!

December 8th and 15th beginning at 9:15a at the Newnan Theatre Compamy.
$15/tea party only or $25/tea party + performances (newnantheatre.org for tickets)

Each ticket includes a staged photo, snacks, drinks, games, take home crafts, and more! Tea party begins at 9:15a and is followed by an 11a performance of Madeline's Christmas  & A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail

 

FAYETTE COUNTY: 

 

Fayetteville Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Tree

December 1st, festivities begin at 5p at gazebo on the Fayetteville Square
Parade will begin at 5p with lighting of the Christmas tree immediately afterwards. Enjoy free hot cocoa and popcorn along with carriage rides with Santa from 6-8p.

Peachtree City's Hometown Holiday

December 1st from 5-9p at City Hall Plaza/Drake Field
The lighting of the Peachtree City Christmas Tree along with Santa's arrival! Enjoy music by Rising Starr & JC Booth Middle Schools' choirs and McIntosh High School's band! Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available along with a craft station where kids can create Christmas ornaments for a nominal fee.

Pet Photos with Santa at Peachtree City PetSmart
December 1st from 11a-4p, $9.95 with PetPerks card
No appointment necessary, you will receive a photo in a holiday frame. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Fayette County Humane Society.

The Nutcracker Tea in Fayetteville
December 15th at 5p at Bennetts Mill Middle School, 210 Lester Rd, Fayetteville  $15 tickets available at gadance.com or call 770-631-3128Celebrate the holiday season with excerpts from the classic Nutcracker. Special treats and goodies will be served along side a full tea buffet. Little girls are encouraged to wear their favorite party dress and bring their favorite doll. Boys and girls will have the chance to help battle the Rat King and Saint Nick will also make an appearance.

HENRY COUNTY:
 

Lighting of the Locust Grove Christmas Tree

November 22nd at 7p
Singing groups & choirs with arrival of Santa at the closing. Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras for photos with Santa

Lighting of the Hampton Christmas Tree
November 22nd at 7p
Lighting of the tree along with holiday carols at the Hampton Depot Park

Stockbridge Holiday Festival
November 27th from 5-9p at the Merle Manders Conference Center & Clark Park
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, see live reindeer, entertainment and more!

Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Gift of Lights
December 1st-31st at the racetrack in Hampton
Hours/Costs:    Sunday-Thursday: 6-9p $15/car   Friday-Saturday: 6-10p $20/car
More than 1 million LED lights dazzle visitors in the 15-mile drive through display at AMS.

“Christmas … In the Grove”
December 1st from 10a-2p in downtown Locust Grove
Christmas parade, stage entertainment, food, train rides, rock climbing wall, craft vendors, and the arrival of Santa in a firetruck! Parade begins at 10a.

McDonough’s Annual Christmas Parade, “The Magic of Christmas”
December 1st, 2012 beginning at 5:30p around the McDonough Square
Enjoy live entertainment on the McDonough Sqaure, the lighting of the tree and a parade to delight children of all ages.

Hampton's Christmas at Home Parade
December 6th at 7pm in Downtown Hampton
 Piedmont Henry Hospital’s 10th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
December 6th, 2012 from 6-8p on the hospital’s south lawn
Refreshments, hayrides with Santa, music from local choirs, & more!
More info by calling 678.604.1026

ROCKDALE COUNTY:

Conyers Hometown Parade & Tree Lighting: "A Star Spangled Christmas"
December 1st, Parade begins at 4:30p and is followed by tree lighting

Parade will begin at Rockdale County High School and will wind its way down to Olde Town Conyers ending at Rockdale County Courthouse.There will be music & performances and guests are encouraged to bring canned good for donation to the Rockdale Food Bank

 

Short Sale Review: Chase Bank

Sweet success! With every short sale approval and closing, we let out a sigh of relief because that means that we've successfully taken some stress away from one of our clients! As of Friday, we closed a short sale with Chase. There are some banks that make us roll our eyes when we even hear the mention of their names (ahem, Bank of America) but Chase is NOT one of them. Although it was somewhat of a lengthy process to obtain the initial "approval to participate" in the short sale program, once we were pre-approved, it was a piece of cake. Of course, we realize that a short sale experience can be determined by the negotiator you end up working with -- some are awesome, some are just okay, some are horrible and some are beyond horrible! After all was said and done, I would rate our short sale experience with Chase as a B+ (I'd rate each of the Chase staff but that would be a blog post for another day - whew!). My clients even received a cash incentive for participating in the short sale program! If you or anyone you know needs assistance with a short sale, please call or email us! Even if you just have questions, we're here to help!