The Smyrna Team – Keller Williams Realty

The Smyrna Team specializes in listing homes in Smyrna, Georgia and working with buyers that are looking for Smyrna homes for sale.  The Smyrna Team also holds the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation.  This designation provides the team with the knowledge they need to have to work successfully with short sales on both the buying and selling side whether the home is in Smyrna or the surrounding areas.  If you are looking for a team that understands the ins and outs of short sales then look no further.  You can access our short sale website by visiting www.thesmyrnateam.com .

Eddie Hudson is a Smyrna, Georgia native and has been selling real estate in Smyrna since 2001.  Eddie specializes in working with sellers to get their Smyrna homes sold in the quickest time at the highest possible price.  Tracy Gaudiano has lived in Smyrna since 1999 and has been providing unparalleled service to buyers looking for Smyrna homes for sale since 2004. You’ll love every minute of your real estate experience when you work with the Smyrna Team.
If you have any questions about Smyrna homes for sale or short sales, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Eddie Hudson & Tracy Gaudiano
770-874-6262

Guest Blog Courtesy of Leigh Clack with Neel & Robinson, LLC

Georgia recently passed “The Property Tax Assessment and Appeals Reform Bill” (Senate Bill 346) on June 7, 2010.

Highlights include:
1.     Every property owner will receive an Annual Notice of Assessment and the right to appeal;
2.     Every Notice of Assessment must contain the estimated property tax (in dollars);
3.     Appeal period has been extended to 45 days;
4.     Alternative streamlined appeal option for properties valued over     $1,000,000;
5.     Automatic taxpayer victory on appeals when government fails to respond within 45 days;
6.     Requirement that all relevant sales, including distress sales, be included when determining Fair Market Value (FMV);
7.     Requirement that only “current use of property” be used in determining FMV;
8.     Taxpayer must be given access to all data used in determining FMV;
9.     Sales price establishes FMV for next tax year.

Remember that a reduction in the assessment does not always reduce the actual bill.  Other factors such as the millage rate, homestead exemption, and other exemptions will also affect the final tax bill amount.

Leigh Clack
Neel & Robinson Attorneys at Law, LLC
22 Lenox Pointe, Atlanta, Georgia 30324
Office:  404-705-3690  Fax:  404-705-3697
lenox@neelandrobinson.com

The Dallas GA Home Sales Team - Prudential Georgia Realty

Dallas GA Home Sales Team – Prudential Georgia

Paulding County recently placed #8 for the fastest growing counties in the nation according to CNN. Paulding’s location on the outskirts of metro Atlanta and the recent market downturn has left Paulding without any local real estate agent offices from any of the major brokers. Enter the Dallas GA Home Sales Team. Comprised of top producing agents from Prudential Georgia’s newly-designated Douglasville/West GA office, the Dallas GA Home Sales Team brings big-city real estate technology combined with their local market knowledge to offer Paulding County home buyers and sellers the professional real estate services they need and deserve.

Backed by the power of the universally recognized Prudential brand, the Dallas GA Home Sales Team leverages their brand power and online marketing skills to assist beleaguered home sellers in this difficult market, bringing the most exposure possible to their listings. Buyers can search for Dallas GA Homes for Sale using their state-of-the-art website dedicated solely to the Paulding area. Utilizing the latest real estate listing technology, their new site offers the most information you will find anywhere about Dallas, Hiram, and all of Paulding. Featuring the area’s finest neighborhoods, buyers and sellers alike can easily view all of the available properties in any given subdivision with the click of a mouse. Paulding’s exciting Swim/Tennis communities such as Seven Hills and Vista Lake can be researched, as well as golf communities like Bentwater Golf Club.

Technology is a big part of today’s real estate market, but is useless without the knowledge and experience to utilize it properly. You may have heard that ‘real estate markets are local’ and it has never been more true than today. The Dallas GA Home Sales Team are professional Dallas GA REALTORS® who live and work in the local area. Their hands-on work in the local market give them a huge advantage over the typical agent who ‘does Paulding’ and travels in from Atlanta. Contact the Dallas GA Home Sales Team for professional local real estate advice you can’t find anywhere else.

Dallas GA Home Sales Team

Prudential Georgia Realty

www.dallasgahomesales.com

770-891-3314

Today’s Guest Blog provided by GeorgiaHomePros.com

You’ve searched and found a home that fits your family.  Now it’s time to make sure it’s safe, sound and will stand the test of time. You need a professional inspector working with only your best interest to determine the condition of the home.  The naked eye usually only uncovers cosmetic items & minor repairs, IF it is visible to the naked eye.  Many major repairs are not fully visible and you need a professional certified inspector who knows what signs of problems to look for.  Even Georgia builders/remodelers have relied upon our, GeorgiaHomePros.com 5-star rated inspection service   Did you know that foreclosures have no sellers disclosures? And, many short sales don’t either. This is now more than half the market that you will have no history on your home.  Also, many homes are located in counties where codes were not enforced when they were built… Yes, even though you may not be in that scenario, the vast majority of homes have thousands of dollars in repairs to be made whether it be code violations, structural defects, latent defects, safety, health hazards or simple wear and tear

In a  majority of inspections, you can have the seller repair the items or you can negotiate the repair moneys off of the price. Even the homes that did enforce codes when built,…the County inspector may have only spend 5-10 minutes if you’re lucky, at the home.  How does that compare to our normal 3-5 hour inspection, 40+/- page report, w/a 500+ point checklist, summary & photos + repair cost estimates? It doesn’t.  That is why it is so smart to get inspection during your due diligence period, to be fully informed PRIOR to closing, or if at all possible it is BEST to do prior to writing an offer.  You will only pay hundreds for an inspection, but possibly save thousands and have peace of mind that your family is safe and you have not bought a money pit.

M.Scott Webb
Rated top 10% Nationwide
20+ Years Experienced Builder/Remodeler
770-893-2271
www.georgiahomepros.com

Today’s Guest Blog Courtesy of Garrett Feis a HUD Approved 203k Consultant

FHA has a little known loan program called 203K.  It is the governments answer to America’s deferred maintenance of existing housing stock.  Most lenders will only lend money on homes that are in good condition or they require the borrower to make the repairs before the closing.  Not so with FHA’s 203K.  FHA allows you to purchase the home “AS IS” and gives you the money to get the repairs done after the closing,  all in one 30 year fixed rate loan at current rates.    Best of all, you won’t need to make mortgage payments until the renovation is complete.

Here are examples of what you can do with a GA 203K loan:

• Purchase a two bedroom one bath home and get the funds to make it a three bedroom with a nice master bath.

• Purchase a foreclosure that needs carpeting, a paint job and maybe a new kitchen.

• Purchase a home that is in perfect condition and remodel the kitchen and bathrooms.

• Purchase a home that is in perfect condition and finish the basement off into an “In Law” suite.

All of this and more is possible under 203k Guidelines.  This loan program is almost limitless.  You can purchase a standard stock home and make it into the home of your dreams.

This loan has become very popular the last two years due to the increase in foreclosed properties.  These properties tend to be in pretty rough shape and usually need some help.  A Georgia 203K loan is the way to get you where you want to be.

For more information on how a 203k loan can be right for you, contact:

Garrett Feis  404-925-7163

Jeff Fountain-Solid Source Realty GA

Hello, I am Jeff Fountain with Solid Source Realty GA, and I look forward to meeting your real estate needs.  As your real estate agent, you will benefit from my unique breadth of experience and my tireless commitment to customer service.
I originally obtained my real estate license in 1985, and have helped hundreds of homeowners and investors identify the best available properties to meet their specific needs.

During my career, I have been a financial advisor with several major financial institutions providing investment planning and mortgage consultation to hundreds of individuals and businesses alike.  Furthermore, I have extensive experience as both an investor and a real estate agent buying and selling bank and government owned foreclosures throughout the metro Atlanta area.  Rest assured that I will put this experience to work for you so that you receive the most value for what could be the most important investment you will ever make!

Feel free to contact me for a no obligation consultation.

Jeff Fountain
Solid Source Realty GA
Direct: 678-358-9998

Talk about waiting until the last minute.  Congress finally passed the extension on the tax credit and Obama is set to sign it into law today.  So, for all of you out there with short-sales and Georgia homes that didn’t get completed on time, you are in luck.  There were a lot of people that didn’t close yesterday, some estimates I have heard are near 200,000 nationwide.   Keep in mind, you still have to of been under contract since before April 30, 2010.  Now you have until September 30, 2010 to close.  Also, rates are still at an all-time low, so if you decided to stay in your home, now is the time to refinance your Georgia home loan.

Happy Fourth of July!

There are many reasons for the delays.  One of the most common is waiting for a home to be completed.  There was such a surge of buyers trying to get new homes and take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit that builders have their contractors working day and night to meet the June 30th deadline.  As new construction goes, there have been a lot of construction delays.   The second most common delay is short-sales.  Short-sales can take months to get approved.  Buyers put contracts in before April 30th hoping to hear back soon whether their offer was accepted, but they are hearing back too late.  We have many Georgia home buyers that have just heard back this week and due to volume there is no way they will close by June 30th.  Most Georgia lenders have been running 45-60 days to close loans and now there are only 10 business days left in the month.

The bill still has to pass the House, so we are all anxiously awaiting a decision.  Congress said they had hoped to have this passed this week, but it may spill over into next week.  There is a lot of support behind the bill but some in Congress are worried about the cost of the extension.  It is estimated the extension will cost $140 million which is tough to stomach in this time of rising federal deficits.

Let us know what you think.  Should Congress extend or let it expire?

Laura Miller Edwards and Dianne Piecuch -  Keller Williams

At times of transition, you and your family need real estate professionals who understand and listen.  For the past 15 years, Laura & Dianne have been assisting “families in transition” with their move.  Both are REO & Short Sale Specialists with the knowledge and experience to assist you with any real estate need. For a variety of reasons, families find themselves needing to relocate.  Many times it is for happy reasons, other times it involves more difficult situations.  Laura & Dianne have the interpersonal skills to guide you through the process while considering your personal situation.  They are experienced at helping you move whether it’s a corporate relocation, first-time home buyer, your family is growing, empty nest, remarriage/blending two families, divorce, death, job loss, or financial hardship.

Whatever your reason, they will personally guide you along the way to ensure the buying/selling process is a positive experience. Laura & Dianne utilize the latest technologies, current market research and winning business strategies to meet and exceed your expectations.  More importantly they LISTEN, and that means they find solutions that are tailored to you.  Call them today to discuss how they can help you reach your homeownership goals.  They’re the perfect realtors to help you with your next move.

Laura Miller Edwards 404-357-8474                            Dianne Piecuch 678-350-5040