Forsyth County Property Tax: Will There Be An Increase?
There will be no Property Tax increase for county operations, but a slight increase in the fire millage rate.
Both the county Maintenance and Operation and the Bond portions of Forsyth County's millage rate will see no increase, as approved at the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners' July 30 meeting. The vote followed the third of three Public Hearings held regarding the millage rate.
Those two portions of county taxes, along with the Fire millage rate, were voted on as separate measures. Following the vote, the county Maintenance and Operation rate will remain at 3.834 mills. The Bond rate will remain at 1.196 mills. The new Fire rate is 1.841 mills, up from 1.765 mills in 2008. The lone increase in the Fire millage rate represents a total millage increase of 0.076 mills.
The approved Fire property tax increase would raise taxes on a home valued at $200,000 by approximately $5.47. The revenue generated by this increase will be put aside to fund future replacements of fire apparatus.
The proposed increase in the county Maintenance and Operation rate, which was not approved, was being considered to help offset a projected deficit in the county's 2010 preliminary budget. Without the increase, the Board of Commissioners will consider other measures for closing the gap between the preliminary budget and projected revenues. Cost-saving options that have been identified include reductions in county service levels, delay of county projects, employee furloughs, unpaid employee holidays, increases in employee costs for healthcare and staff reductions. These measures would come in addition to budget reductions and cut-backs already implemented by the county.
Pace Homebuilders presents Greenhaven, Atlanta’s newest model for green building and sustainable design. Located in Chelsea Landing, the first eco-friendly neighborhood community in East Cobb County, Greenhaven will carry the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and showcase the latest in green building techniques, sustainable design, state-of-the-art-technology, and energy efficiency.
Tour Greenhaven this Thursday through Sunday. Here are just a few of the exciting features you will see:
* 20 Eco Conscious Interior Designers * 34 Eco-Decorated spaces * Recycled Glass Chandalier * Atmospheric Water Generator * Recycled Decking * LED Lighting * Bi-Polar Ionization Air Filters * Light Harvesting Sun Tunnels * River Reclaimed Pine Floors * No VOC Paint * Water Efficient Plumbing * Pervious Paver Driveway * Rainwater Harvesting * FSC Mahogany Front Door
Admission is free! Visit www.greenhavenhome.com for the hours and directions of their 2009 show home.
Existing Home Sales Up for the Third Straight Month
ASSOCIATED PRESS: The US Housing market has started to recover from the most far-reaching crisis since the Great Depression, data released Thursday shows. Sales of previously occupied homes rose for the third month in a row in June, the National Association of Realtors reported. That hasn't happened since early 2004, during the boom. "The turnaround in the housing market appears finally to be here and indeed may be gaining some speed," wrote Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors Inc.
Home sales rose 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.89 million last month, from a downwardly revised pace of 4.72 million in May. Sales were up in all four regions of the country. It was the highest level of sales since last October and beat economists' expectations. Sales had been expected to rise to an annual pace of 4.84 million units, according to Thomson Reuters.
In another encouraging sign, the share of foreclosures on the market is shrinking. About one out of three homes sold in June was foreclosure-related, down from nearly half earlier this year.
And the glut of homes up for sale dwindled to 3.8 million. That's a 9.4-month supply at the current sales pace and another important sign of a recovery. When the market balances at a 7-month supply prices should begin to stabilize, the Realtors's group said.
In a storm the eye may be calm, but the safest place is in the mouth. That's the idea behind this customized home in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Flood-proof and able to withstand gale-force winds, the so-called Dome of a Home stands up to a storm, according to its delighted owners, because it's modeled after a tooth.
"The molar is one of the strongest things in the human body," says Mark Sigler, a former dentist who applied his dental expertise to home design out of inspiration and necessity. He and his wife, Valerie, took action after seeing the main floor of their previous home carried away by storms too many times. "We were flooded three times in five years, so when the State declared this area a flood zone we applied for a grant to rebuild," says Sigler, whose application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) included his original concept for a structure based on the inherent strengths of the molar. The Siglers got their grant - one of only two accepted from 11,000 applications - and with the help of renowned architect Jonathan Zimmerman their dome design was launched.
While it takes its inspiration from inside the human mouth, the Dome of a Home is completely in synch with its surroundings, Sigler stresses. The curved lines and round shell of the building - which is three storeys high, 72' x 54' long - allow wind and water to move around and underneath rather than against it. "Its walls need only be three to four inches thick because it's aerodynamic," says Sigler, "while other homes need to be one to two feet thick to withstand wind pressure." The ground floor, used for parking only, allows storm waters to pass-through. The main floor, which is actually the second storey, contains three bedrooms, a split-level living room and a kitchen that looks out to a pool and hot tub. The third storey has the master bedroom and bath and a honeymoon suite featuring a cozy deck that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.
Their original Dome of a Home was so successful that the Siglers soon began designing other dome dwellings and now have their own custom design company, Dragon Speed, which specializes in structures that protect against the worst that nature dishes out while accentuating its best. "We design spaces that best access and enjoy the gifts of Mother Nature's beauty," says Sigler. These domed houses not only withstand inclement weather, they also have undeniably eye-catching appeal, taking cues from the works of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Each Dragon Speed home borrows from the environment and boasts the latest technology for in-home comfort. The air-conditioning system, for instance, allows for natural airflow and all the materials used in construction are selected locally.
Want to go tooth for a tooth with a Gulf of Mexico tempest? The Dome of a Home is available for holiday rental at certain times throughout the year - presumably when the Siglers, who still live there, aren't home.
Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under* 30-yr Fixed = 5.25% Purchase Only 15-yr Fixed = 4.75% Purchase Only
Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000* 5/1 ARM = 5.00% 7/1 ARM =5.50%
FHA Loans: * 30-yr Fixed = Range 5.375% - 5.50%
*Based on pricing as of Friday, July 24th, 09 at 12:00PM.
If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!
Join us for this family fun event, now in its 31st year! The Old Soldiers Day Race includes a 5K and 10K race for people of all ages. Pre-registration will end on Friday July 24th at 4pm. All race applications and fees must be in-hand by this time. Early-bird registration fee is $15 per person and includes an event t-shirt. Registration will resume on race day at 6am. Race-day registration fee is $20 - event t-shirts are not guaranteed to race-day registrants. Pre-registered participants may pick up their race packet, t-shirt and race number a few days before the event at the Alpharetta Community Center. Dates/times for packet pickup will be posted on the City's website. On-site registration will be held at Wills Park behind the Alpharetta City Pool.
Volunteers are always needed to help with this event! If you or your civic organization is interested in providing volunteer manpower for the Old Soldiers Day Race, please contact Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department staff at 678-297-6100 or accprograms@alpharetta.ga.us.
This Saturday, July 25th in Alpharetta: The 8th Annual Youth Fishing Derby
Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to test their fishing skills at the 8th Annual Youth Fishing Derby sponsored by the Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department. This event will be held on Saturday, July 25th beginning at 8am at the lake near Brookside Office Park on Old Milton Parkway. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must provide their own fishing equipment and bait. Space is extremely limited! Admission is free. For more information, call 678-297-6133 or email wprcprograms@alpharetta.ga.us.
Confused about whether or not you can apply the 2009 home buyer tax credit (up to $8000) to the down payment on your FHA loan? It seems many, including lenders, were unclear at first. The 2009 First Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit lets those buying their first primary residence to get a tax break up to $8000.
For FHA lenders and borrowers alike, May was a very confusing month, but the FHA seems to have sorted out the mess. The rules are clear now--bridge loans are permitted, but the FHA's required down payment must still come from the borrower's own funds. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's official site, FHA guidelines are designed to allow people interested in an FHA mortgage to cut their up front costs while requiring the borrower to have a personal investment in the property bought with an FHA home loan.
Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under* 30-yr Fixed = 5.25% Purchase Only 15-yr Fixed = 4.75% Purchase Only
Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000* 5/1 ARM = 5.00% 7/1 ARM =5.50%
FHA Loans: * 30-yr Fixed = Range 5.375% - 5.50%
*Based on pricing as of Friday, July 17th, 09 at 12:00PM.
If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Georgia must stop withdrawing water within three years from a federal reservoir outside Atlanta that is the city's main water supply.U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson said Lake Lanier wasn't built for water supply and the state's withdrawals are illegal. He acknowledged it would be impossible to immediately stop using the lake because it is metro Atlanta's main water supply. But he said if the state can't get permission from Congress within three years, the withdrawals must end.
Are You Taking Advantage of the Home Buyer Tax Credits?
Are you taking advantage of the $8000 new home buyer tax credit? The new law refers to the tax credit as a first-time home buyer tax credit, but the law defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a primary residence for 3 years prior to the date of purchase of the new home. So as long as you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, you would qualify for this credit.
Here are the basics to this specific tax credit:
* The home must be your primary residence * The home must be purchased in 2009 * The homebuyer must not have owned another primary residence for at least 3 years * The $8,000 credit is applied to the federal income taxes you file in 2010 for the 2009 year. * You must live in the home as your primary residence for at least 3 years or you'll have to pay the credit back to the federal government * Single filers are limited to income of $75,000 and $150,000 for joint filers.
If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area, especially since you may also qualify for the new $1800 home buyer tax credit passed in Georgia.
The new Georgia Homebuyer tax credit makes for a powerful new home stimulus plan when combined with the Federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. For more information on the Georgia Tax Credit click here.
Call us today! It's a great time to buy in Georgia! Also, check out the foreclosure listings in the area through a special link on our website.
Phase II of Forsyth County government’s new interactive Web page, eStatus, is now available and provides even more planning-related information in one, easy-to-navigate location. Building off of the first phase of the eStatus Web page launched earlier this year, the enhanced eStatus Web page now includes all public hearing application types and all land development permit and plat types.
In addition to more application, permit and plat types being available online, another new feature is the ability to search by map. This functionality enables citizens and members of the development community to search spatially for records under review or those recently closed. Also added is Web 2.0 technology allowing individuals to set up feeds to automatically receive the latest submittal information about records directly into their Web browser, Web-based mapping program or Microsoft Outlook.
“The eStatus Web page allows citizens to follow along during the public hearing process by quickly and conveniently locating project summaries, meeting dates and links to important documents, such as applications, aerial maps, concept plans, staff reports and final decision letters,” Senior Current Planner Matt Bucchin said. “It will also provide the development community with a more effective tool to conduct background property research during the initial design of their development projects.”
Director of Planning and Development Jeff Chance noted the benefit of such information being available online. “Making this information available on the Web site helps people stay informed about requests and proposed changes in the community,” Chance said. “It is one more way to involve and engage community members and the development community in the planning and development process.”
When using the eStatus Web page, users may choose to search records in one of many ways. A Quick Search can be used if the specific application number is known. Application numbers can be found on legal ad notices in the newspaper, adjacent property owner letters, meeting agendas and minutes, orange and yellow public notice signs, or permit cards found on construction sites. Users can also search by application, permit or plat type and status, or identifying a specific spatial location on the map.
In today's rough economy I am always looking for a deal. Not just in the housing market, for I do love to hunt down great deals on homes on a daily basis. But I also enjoy finding the unexpected freebie in the market place during my daily activities. While keeping up with events in Cumming, I often refer to a great website called CummingHome.com. Just in the past week I have seen many great deals and coupons on their site for local businesses. Some examples are, "Buy One Get One Free" Breakfast at the Foster House in Downtown Cumming. Another spot for free food is Lenny's Subs. Just mention their ad on CummingHome.com and get a free drink and chips with your sub purchase. You can also find free admission to local activities such as the Lakewood Antiques Market which is open the 3rd weekend of each month. Check it out at www.CummingHome.com!
And, if you're like me and love to hunt down some great deals in the housing market, visit the property search page on our website. There is no obligation to sign up, just freely browse all available listings in the area. We also have a great page to freely search all available foreclosures in the area. We just ask that you consider choosing our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate to help with your next real estate sale or purchase.
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful to Host Adopt-A-Stream Workshops
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB) will host workshops for citizens to learn about the county’s Adopt-A-Stream program. The Adopt-A-Stream program informs citizens about local water quality and ways to protect the county’s water.
The workshops will be held in pairs. The first workshop is Getting Started and Chemical Assessment, and the second workshop is Biological Assessment. Each workshop will take place three times. Workshop participants do not have to attend consecutive workshop pairings.
The Getting Started and Chemical Assessment workshop will be held July 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the KFCB Office at 875 Lanier 400 Parkway in Suite 114; August 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center at 4075 Spot Road; and October 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Park Recreation Center at 2300 Keith Bridge Road.
The Biological Assessment workshop will be held August 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the KFCB Office at 875 Lanier 400 Parkway in Suite 114; September 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center at 4075 Spot Road; and October 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Park Recreation Center at 2300 Keith Bridge Road.
“We hope the participants will walk away from the workshops with an understanding of the impact they can have on water quality in our community and the state as a whole,” KFCB Community Outreach Specialist Kevin Smith said. “We want citizens to learn how they can become more involved in protecting our water resources.”
Forsyth County’s Adopt-A-Stream program is part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. To register for a pair of the workshops, contact Kevin Smith at 678.513.5892 or kdsmith@forsythco.com.
Holtzclaw Road in Forsyth County will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, July 13. The road is expected to re-open Monday, July 20. Residents can use Chattahoochee Road or SR 306 as an alternate route during the closure.
Holtzclaw Road is being reconstructed to improve the road's alignment. The travel lanes and shoulders also will be widened to improve safety. The road widening and paving will be complete before school opens in August. Chattahoochee Elementary is located along Holtzclaw Rd. Funding for the improvements to Holtzclaw Road comes from SPLOST VI.
Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under* 30-yr Fixed = 5.00% Purchase Only 15-yr Fixed = 4.50% Purchase Only Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes
Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000* 5/1 ARM = 5.00% 7/1 ARM =5.50%
FHA Loans: * 30-yr Fixed = Range 5.25% - 5.50%
*Based on pricing as of Friday, July 10th, 09 at 1:00PM.
If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!
The US Army Corps of Engineers has announced its procedures to issuing the approximate 174 remaining boat dock permits available for Lake Lanier.
According to its press release, the Corps will be conducting a lottery style drawing to give all applicants an equal opportunity and to determine the order of precedence for reviewing the remaining permit requests.
Beginning on July 10, residents on the lake who are interested in having their property reviewed for a new dock permit, may visit www.lakelaniersupl.com to download the information needed to submit a request letter. Request letters may be sent by mail for 90 days from 15 July 2009 until 13 October 2009 to:
Lake Lanier Permits P O Box 9 Gonzalez, FL 32560
An outside firm will be entering all requests in a database and will post requests weekly on www.lakelaniersupl.com so applicants can ensure that their request has been received. A final list of confirmed requests will be published on the same site about one week after the open period and prior to a random drawing which will determine the order the requests will be reviewed. The drawing will be webcast and available by video feed to a site in our area. Links will also be available on www.lakelaniersupl.com and http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil.
Detailed information on this procedure is available on the Corps' Web site or by calling the Corps' Shoreline Management office at Lake Lanier at 770-945-9531.
We enjoyed a great evening of fireworks at the Cumming Fairgrounds last night. The weather was mild, breezy and a little cool....perfect for July!! If you missed the fantastic fireworks display in Cumming last night, don't worry. You can still catch most of the other shows tonight. Here's a few of my favorites!
Alpharetta: The Recreation & Parks Department will host this year's spectacular Fireworks show at Wills Park in Alpharetta. Childrens activities & entertainment will be on the Event Lawn from 5pm-8pm. Food vendors will be located throughout the park. Another "Awesome" Alpharetta event! Free Admission and Parking. For more information visit www.alpharetta.ga.us.
Lake Lanier: Lake Lanier Islands shoots off a fantastic fireworks show each year. You can either head over to the islands and join in the festivities, or grab a boat and find a spot on the lake to enjoy the show. Or check out various internet blogs to find a good place to park and see the show off the islands. Visit www.lakelanierislands.com for more information.
Dahlonega: For an all day schedule of events, head up to Dahlonega. The day will end with another spectacular fireworks display from the NGCSU campus. For the days schedule visit www.dahlonega.org.
Forsyth County Announces Proposed Property Tax Increase
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted a millage rate that will require an increase in the Maintenance and Operation property taxes and Fire property taxes.
The proposed county Maintenance and Operation rate is 4.502 mills, up from 3.834 mills in 2008. The proposed Fire rate is 1.841 mills, up from 1.765 mills in 2008. The proposed Bond rate remains at 1.196 mills. This represents a total millage increase of 0.744 mills.
The proposed Maintenance and Operations property tax increase would increase taxes on a home valued at $200,000 by approximately $48.09. The proposed Fire property tax increase would increase taxes on a home valued at $200,000 by approximately $5.47.
The proposed Maintenance and Operations property tax increase will help offset a projected deficit in the county's 2010 preliminary budget. The proposed Fire property tax increase will help fund the replacement of fire apparatus.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold three (3) public hearings to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions regarding the increase.
All concerned citizens are invited to attend the public hearings regarding this tax increase. The hearings will be held at the Forsyth County Administration Building located at 110 E. Main Street, Suite 220, in Cumming on Tuesday, July 14 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Did you know? ParkPass fees are waived every Wednesday at Georgia State Parks. It's their ongoing Guest Appreciation Day -- a way that they can give back to their valued guests.
Today we took advantage of this and visited the beautiful Black Rock Mountain State Park in the Northeast corner of Georgia. It's about 2 hours from Cumming, and 10-12 degrees cooler in temperature. It felt like a mild Spring Day, and was a great way to beat the heat and spend time with the family.
Click here to find a fun outdoor activity at a park near you. Mark your calendars and take a refreshing mid-week break at a beautiful state park.
About Mike & Melody Vanderhoff's Cumming, Alpharetta and Dawsonville, GA Real Estate Website: The www.vanderhoffrealestate.com web site provides Cumming, Alpharetta, Dawsonville, the Polo Fields, Ball Ground, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Lake Lanier, Riverstone Plantation, as well as Georgia's Forsyth, Dawson, East Cherokee, Lumpkin and North Fulton Counties
, Georgia real estate information and resources to guide homeowners, homebuyers and real estate investors through the process of selling and buying a house, condo or other realty property in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Dawsonville area. Mike & Melody Vanderhoff (somtimes spelled as Mellody, Melodie, Mellodie, Vanderhof, or Vander Hoff)
has services to help you get the best value for your Cumming, Alpharetta and Dawsonville home and this website offers home buyers and home sellers a superior comparative market analysis (CMA), a way to view real estate and MLS IDX listings including virtual tours, prepare your home for sale, and more. Investors looking for real estate investment properties to invest in need look no farther. Anyone selling a home, buying a home or seeking housing can learn more about our realty services, and will appreciate working with a Cumming, Alpharetta and Dawsonville REALTORs who know the area so well. Through trusted partners, we also provide real estate and financial services to consumers looking for houses for sale or selling their home in Cumming, Alpharetta and Dawsonville, GA, such as mortgages, credit history, new homes, foreclosures and other services. If you've already tried to go the for sale by owner (FSBO) route and find you are needing a partner who you can trust in the sale of your most precious asset, Mike & Melody Vanderhoff can take care of your special needs. It really doesn't matter if you spell it REALTOR, Realator or Realter, realty, realety or reality, real estate or realestate, Mike and Melody speak your language.
