GET EVEN MORE MONEY: Help for Georgia Home Buyers

Pondering whether to purchase a home in Georgia?  Well, you maybe in for a real treat if you do.  Currently, state legislators are reviewing if a statewide homebuyer tax credit should be implemented in addition to the national tax credit being offered to first-time homebuyers.  TAKE ACTION and ask your legislators to support HB 261 and create a much needed Statewide Homebuyer Tax Credit. By offering a short-term, targeted incentive program in the form of a Homebuyer Tax Credit we can encourage Georgians to purchase homes, stimulate the housing sector, and in turn stimulate Georgia’s economy!  This approach was successful in the 1970’s and is the basis for the of the Isakson-Lieberman amendment adopted by the U.S. Senate.

April Business Events in Sandy Springs

Get ready for these upcoming Business events in April:

The Chamber’s Small Business Council will host their next Tool Kit meeting on Thursday, April 9 from 7- 9 a.m. Please visit the Chamber’s website for more information.

Refinancing & Loan Modification Help: MAKING HOME AFFORDABLE PROGRAM

On March 19, 2009, the Obama Administration unveiled its new website on its Making Home Affordable Program. As reported in recent Washington Reports, the program has two main components: (1) refinancing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans for borrowers who are current and have loan-to-value ratios of 80%-105%, and (2) loan modification for borrowers in default or at imminent risk of default who have high debt-to-income ratios and mortgages with balances up to $729,750 for their real estate.

IRS Guidance on First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

The IRS released additional information to help homebuyers understand the ways they can file to receive the homebuyer credit. It is important for taxpayers to know that they must complete the purchase and close or take up residence in the case of new construction in order to be eligible to file for the credit. Here are the four main options listed by the IRS:

Around Sandy Springs - Events This Week

Riverwood International Charter School will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on March 26, 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. and March 29 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door. Directed by Riverwood drama teacher Mary Beth van der Hoek, the Broadway hit showcases the talents of 65 students. For information, call 404.847.1980 or visit www.riverwoodhs.org.

Places to Love: PARK TOWERS

If you love Atlanta’s breathtaking skyline, then you will love the views at Park Towers Condominiums.  Park Towers is located on Hammond Drive, just minutes from I-285, GA-400, and Perimeter Mall and MARTA train accessible, making it a convenient place to live whether you need to get to downtown, Cobb, North Fulton, Gwinnett or Dekalb counties. 

Places To Love: WEMBLEY HALL

 At Sandy Springs’ Wembley Hall subdivision, you will love the private setting of this real estate community.  As you drive off the busy Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd., whether coming from the nearby Perimeter Mall, GA-400, I-285, or Marta, you will be pleased by the serenity that awaits you.

Weigh Lease Purchase Pros and Cons

The current real estate housing market has prompted some home sellers to offer rent-to-buy (lease purchase) agreements to prospective buyers.

These buyers pay an up-front fee of approximately 1 percent of the sales price for the option to buy, and all the payments they make during the rental period go toward the principal.

Places to Love: GLENRIDGE POINTE TOWNHOMES

Convenience, convenience and more convenience!  If you are looking for convenience in your lifestyle and real estate purchase, you will love the Glenridge Pointe Townhomes in Sandy Springs, GA.  These 4-sided brick townhomes are located close to Glenridge Drive, meaning you have quick access to either GA-400 to easily go south to Atlanta and the airport or north to Alpharetta.  Glenridge Pointe is also close to various nationally-recognized medically complexes (including Northside Hospital) and is near public transportation (MARTA).  

How to Claim Your Homebuyer Tax Credit

It is tax time again! 

And for those of you that have purchased your first home in 2009, congratulations!!  You have probably heard all the hoopla about the tax credit, of up to $8,000, first-time homebuyers can receive if they have purchased or plan to purchase a home in 2009 from Jan. 1 - Nov. 30 but you may not know what to do.