The Lady of Realty: Bethlehem, GA Real Estate: Georgia

Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2009

Feedback from a Recent First-Time Home Buyer

Last week I helped another home buyer successfully purchase their first home. It was a great little home perfect for their needs and I'm very excited and happy for him. I know that it'll be a place where he'll create many happy memories. In addition...I'm thrilled that he purchased it in time to receive the $8,000 tax credit! I can only imagine how happy he'll be when he receives that awesome check in the mail.

If you're considering purchasing a home, now's the time...especially if you're a first-time home buyer! I would be honored to help you through the very important and sometimes overwhelming home buying process. Please don't hesitate to contact me!

Here's the feedback I received from that client:

As a first time homebuyer, I was unsure about a lot of the process that went into looking for a home. Working with the Rains Team really made it easy and comfortable for me to look at several homes and narrow down my choices. The method of narrowing down choices really made me realize what it was that I was looking for in a first home. I was able to place an offer down fast with full confidence because of the time and effort taken by myself and the Rains Team in finding the perfect home. I am a big fan of communication and the Rains Team was up front about all matters when the buying process came and were diligent in keeping me up to speed about everything. I now own my first home with no regrets in the least! I would recommend the Rains Team to first time homebuyers and even seasoned buyers.

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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!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for Peers

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 12 suggestions are all ways that show respect for peers.

1. Identify your REALTOR and professional status in all contacts with other REALTORS.

2. Respond to other agents' calls, faxes, and e-mails promptly and courteously.

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.

If you missed the other two parts of this topic, please click the links:

Respect for Property

Respect for the Public

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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!

Monday, July 6, 2009

All About Georgia Property Taxes: Part 2

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

Homestead Exemption:

In Georgia, the most common exemption people apply for is the Homestead Exemption, which allows Georgia homeowners to receive a reduction in the tax assessed against their primary residence. This exemption and most other exemptions are not automatically given; instead, they require the homeowner to apply for them and the exemption then must be approved.

You may apply for this exemption if you have lived in your home since January 1st of the year in which the tax becomes due and it must be your primary residence. Also, you need to file for this exemption by April 1st or else you'll have to wait until the following year. Once you've been approved for this exemption though you don't have to file for it each year; the only time it would need to be filed again is if ownership of the home changed.

Other exemptions that are available are ones for disabled veterans, housholds that have an income of less than $30,000 annually, and to surviving spouses of firemen or policemen killed while on the job.

Appealing Tax Assessments:

The proper time to appeal a tax assessment is whenever the homeowner receives assessment notice in the mail; it will be marked "This is not a bill." A lot of homeowners will disregard it since it's not a bill, but as soon as you get it in the mail you'll want to go on your county's website and file a property tax return. The deadline for this in most counties is April 1st, but you'll want to check your country's website to be sure.

Once the property tax return is filed, the Board of Assessors will get the property re-appraised. If the Board accepts the lowered value, the assessed value will also be reduced and nothing is left for the homeowner to do. However, if they re-appraise it at a higher value, a new assessment notice will be mailed and the homeowner can then file an appeal.

A reassessment notice will show the previous year's value of the property, the current year's value and a statement saying the owner has 45 days to appeal the assessment. You must make your appeal in writing, to do so simply write a letter to the Board of Assessors. It's best to send this via certiifed mail. In the letter you need to include the property address, the tax identification number and state your reasons for the appeal.

After you've filed your appeal, you should follow it up with a more thorough detailed letter with your reasons to appeal. In addition, it's wise to arrange a meeting with the appraiser assigned to your property to discuss your appeal. However, the more non-confrontational you are with the appraiser, the more likely your meeting will go in your favor.

At the meeting with the appraiser, present your evidence for lowering the value of the home--this could be a settlement statement showing the purchase price of the property, comparable sales information or an appraisal. Other ways to prove your case are if portions of the property are in a flood zone, zoning restrictions or covenants that bring the property's value down.

The Board of Assessors will then make their decision, which must be in writing and will either be: 1. no change to the assessment, 2. a change in the assessment to the amount claimed by the owner and 3. an altogether separate change. If the Board chooses not to make any change to the assessment, they must write both the homeowner and the Board of Equilization stating their reasons for denial; the homeowner can then file an appeal with the Board of Equilization. If they make an altogether different decision, the owner may either accept it or file a written appeal within 21 days to the Board of Equilization.

I hope you've learned a lot more about Georgia property taxes and what it takes to file exemptions and appeals.

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Thursday, July 2, 2009

New Listing: 3 Bed/3 Bath Home for Sale in Monroe, GA on 2.5 Acres

If you are shopping for a home why not take a look at this beautiful 3 bedroom and 3 bath home for sale in Monroe, Georgia. It's located a large 2.5 acre lot and also has an 18'x20' shop on the property.

Come sit on the large rocking chair front porch and cool off with a glass of sweet tea. Or enjoy the stacked stone fireplace and built-in shelving in the family room.

You'll love the over-sized master bedroom with its trey ceiling. And the master bath is spacious and features dual vanities, a garden tub, separate shower and walk-in closet.

For more photos or information about this property, please visit:

www.3834MountCarmelChurchRd.com

Watch the virtual tour:

Make an appointment to view this home; call Anne at 404.357.2231

Thursday, June 25, 2009

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.

To begin with, all Georgia property is subject to paying property taxes, called "ad valorem" taxes which means a tax based on the value of the property. The ad valorem tax is based upon the value of both the house (the improvements) and the lot on which the home sits. However, your personal property, such as your furniture and other possessions, are not included in this valuation.

The Board of Assessors in the county in which the home lies is responsible for valuing and assessing the property. The Board has a few appraisers which they use to determine the value of the property based upon market analysis, comparable sales and other criteria. Your Georgia property taxes are assessed at "fair market value," in other words, the price that a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property and that a willing seller would accept.

After the property has been assessed and a value is determined, the Board of Tax Assessors reaches an assessed value by taking 40% of the appraised value. To reach the amount that appears on your tax bill, the assessed value is multiplied by the millage rate for the tax district in which the property lies.

The Latin word "mille" which means "thousand" is where the term "millage" rate originates. So in the property tax context, the millage rate is the amount of tax due on every thousand dollars worth of property. This rate is set based on the budget requirements of the different units of government which depend on the taxes. Usually this includes the county government, school system, the cities within each county and the state government.

The millage rate is determined after the annual budget is set; once that happens, the Board of Assessors looks at the total value of all the property in the county, they then reduce the value by 40% to reach the assessed value. Next, through long division, they reach the millage rate necessary to bring in tax revenues necessary to cover the budget.

I hope that this information has helped you understand a little more about Georgia property taxes. Stay tuned for Part 2 where I'll cover the Georgia Homestead Exemption and how to appeal your tax assessment.

Please click this link if you would like to see the current millage rate for each county and city in Georgia: Millage Rates.
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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!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for Property

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 8 suggestions are all ways that show respect for property.

Be responsible for everyone you allow to enter listed property.

Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied.

When showing property, keep all members of the group together.

Never allow unaccompanied access to property without permission.

Enter property only with permission even if you have a lockbox key or combination.

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.

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.

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

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Monday, June 8, 2009

Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for the Public

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!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Additional $1,800 Tax Credit for Georgia Buyers

Georgia buyers can now receive an $1,800 tax credit in addition to the $8,000 federal tax credit. Governor, Sonny Perdue, signed House Bill 261 on May 11, 2009.

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

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

Friday, May 29, 2009

8 Ways to Save Money Through Your Mortgage, Banking or Credit Cards

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

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Children Say the Darndest Things...2nd Graders Reveal Why God Made Moms!

I received the following e-mail that contained answers by 2nd graders on "Why God Made Moms." Their answers were too cute for me not to share this!

I love listening to children; hearing their answers to various questions--some of the things they come up with are so very sweet and other things they say are just hilarious!

I think you'll enjoy this and hopefully it'll make you smile and laugh a little. Not sure what the weather is doing in your part of town, but here it's rainy and thundering...hope this brightens your day up a bit!

Why Did God Make Mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. Because we're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What Kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy..
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name...
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot...
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3.. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

It is so much fun asking children questions and then listening to their answers. If you're a parent, take the time to really listen to your child and if they say something funny, write it down--maybe keep a journal--later down the road it will be so neat to look back at some of the clever, sweet or hilarious things they've said. I know they will enjoy it also!

My dad actually used to fix my sister and I huge bowls of icecream and sit us down at the kitchen table. He would sit there with his video camera, recording us and asking us questions why we chowed down on an enormous amount of icecream. I have great memories of those days and now have several tapes to look back on. I really appreciate my dad taking the time to do that and make those memorieswith us. And best of all, now I can hear all the crazy things I said when I was little.

Have a Happy Weekend!

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 excitingjourney! I serve Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!

Photo Credit: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

Friday, May 22, 2009

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

Well, since I'm having a YARD SALE tomorrow, I thought that I would share this awesome post about how to have a successful yard sale. It has lots of great tips that helped me, especially since this will be the first one I've ever done!

My fingers are crossed and I'm praying that the RAIN will hold off...40% chance tomorrow during the time I'm having it...yikes!

Via Patty Keller Virtual Assistant (AnotherME, LLC):

How To Have A Successful Yard Sale

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)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wordless Wednesday (A Day Late!): A Street with a Story to Tell

Wordless Wednesday...sorry for the delay! I titled this A Street with a Story to Tell because this beautiful cobblestone street is very old and is part of Savannah, Georgia's River Street. It's a really neat street that runs beside the water and has several shops, restaurants and hotels to enjoy.

Monday, May 18, 2009

You Don't Have to Break the Bank to Have a Beautiful Yard...

Spring is my favorite time of the year. Why? Because I absolutely love flowers and I'm really starting to get interested in planting and gardening--basically trying to make my yard be the best it can be. However, I'm a newlywed and don't have a ton of extra dough to put into creating a spectacularly landscaped yard.

That is why I love the Loganville Grower's Outlet! Not only do they have a huge selection of flowers and plants of all kinds, but they have fabulous prices. For instance, today I bought one of my favorite flowers, Gerbera Daisies, for only $1 a piece!! Just the other day I was in Lowe's and these same plants were $3.83!! So you know what I did, I bought 15 plants today and only spent $15!!

Another reason why I love the Loganville Grower's Outlet is because the plants are healthy and in good shape. In fact, all the daisies I bought today have a least 2 flower buds coming up and the foliage is very green and perky. I know that these plants will not die the instant I put them in the soil, if anything they are going to thrive!

If you are like me and you're on a budget, but still want a yard that pops with color my advice is to always choose perennials because they typically come back year after year. Gerbera daisies are perennials and I can count on them coming back each year and they usually just get stronger and bigger every year. The longer they are in your yard, the more quickly they come up each Spring and the more flowers they produce. I love the fact that I don't have to continuously replace my flowers each year and that I can work on adding to my yard...not re-doing it all every season.

Just remember, Spring and Summer is prime time when buyers come out...if you have your home on the market, it is especially important to have great curb appeal!! If you need more tips on how to improve your home's curb appeal, please feel free to e-mail me!

The Loganville Grower's Outlet also has a website that they update frequently with all the plants they currently have in stock and their prices. The website also features design tips and plant information.

Click here for WEBSITE

Location: 159 Cown Drive, Loganville, GA

I encourage you to check out the Loganville Grower's Outlet for your plant needs! You certainly won't be let down! 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!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Atlanta Highlights: Fox Theatre & Spaghetti Factory

My husband gave me the sweetest First Anniversary gift: tickets to see the movie Gone With the Wind at the Fox Theatre and dinner out! As most of you know, each anniversary has a gift that goes with it: the traditional gift is one of paper (the modern version is a clock…I’m not a huge fan of clocks for some reason so I’m glad he didn’t go with this!). So a gift of tickets to see my all-time favorite movie was just perfect!

We began the night at the Old Spaghetti Factory, which was absolutely delicious! In case you haven’t been there before, the food is great and very reasonably priced. I had the Crab Ravioli which was covered in a pesto alfredo sauce and tasted wonderful. The meal is also served with hot, fresh bread; a salad–they have the best dressing there: Pesto Ranch (can you tell I like pesto?!) and also for dessert: Spumoni, which is an Italian ice cream of three flavors: chocolate, cherry and pistachio–this eclectic combo tastes great together!

One of the reasons I love eating at this restaurant is looking at the many beautiful chandaliers they have hanging everywhere. The restaurant is full of various types of big, bold and beautiful lights such as the one above. Also, the furniture is all very antique-Victorian looking and is very neat.

If you are in the Atlanta area and would like a fun restaurant to eat at with great food, try this one out! It’s located at: 249 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta. Or you may be lucky enough to have one located near you…they have over 37 locations in 14 different states.

Next we headed over to the fabulous Fox Theatre so we could watch our movie! The Fox is an Atlanta tradition and first opened in the 1930s after being headquarters for the Shriners organization in the 1920s. This beautifully ornate building survived so much and “the Fox stands today as a fiercely protected landmark and a nationally acclaimed theater; having survived depression, mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy, competition, television, real estate development, and above all, age.”–FoxTheatre.org

Watching this classic movie on the big screen at this amazing venue was a wonderful night out for sure! I thoroughly enjoyed the night and encourage you to look into having a night at the Fox sometime yourself. They do everything from concerts and musicals to plays and ballets–there is something for everyone.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be there next, but what I’m most looking forward to is seeing the Radio City Rockettes perform their Christmas show in November!

For tickets or more information visit their website: The Fox Theatre. They are located at: 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Roasted Red Pepper Soup: Yummy and Healthy!

While in Crested Butte, Colorado last week I had the best roasted red pepper soup at the slope-side restaurant, 9380 Prime. It had such a great flavor and it was so smooth, it was the perfect lunch. Well, when I got home I began craving it and decided to look on the Internet for a close replica. (I thought about first calling the restaurant and trying to beg the chef for the recipe but decided to try it on my own first!) I found a great recipe from the blog, Kerala Kitchen and decided to try it out...I wasn't let down, it was delicious and tastes almost exactly like 9380 Prime's version.

You can still see the steam from the picture; really it was absolutely delicious and you must give a try.

INGREDIENTS:

2 Large Red Bell Peppers
2 C. canned diced tomatoes
2 C. chicken stock
1 red onion
5 cloves of garlic
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. fresh basil (I left this out and it still tasted great!)
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. black pepper (I used 1 tsp. for extra sharpness)
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. heavy cream (I actually used 3 Tbsp)\
1 Tbsp. olive oil

WHAT TO DO:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the onion into 4 quarters. Seed the red peppers and cut lengthwise into two pieces. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil and place the red peppers skinside up. Fill the spaces with the onion pieces and the whole garlic cloves. (I recommend putting down a sheet of aluminum foil and then placing the olive oil and vegetables on top--easier clean up!!) Drizzle 1 Tbsp. olive oil on top of all the vegetables and roast for 20 minutes or until the peppers turn brown. Remove the skins of the peppers and chop into large pieces. Set aside with the onion and garlic.
In a large saucepan, combine the chicken stock oregano and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and add the peppers, onion and garlic. Cook for 10 minutes. Then using a hand blender (or transfer to a regular blender), puree the mixture until it's smooth and an even texture. (The lady who wrote this recipe feels the soup tastes better if it's chunky, I disagree--I like the texture to be smooth, like a bisque). Return the puree back to the saucepan (if you used a blender) and add the sugar, black pepper and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes then remove the pot from the heat. Add heavy cream and stir in well. Garnish with basil and sour cream if you like.

I served it with a simple salad and chunks of french bread. Bon Appetit!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: A Ride in the Pinzgauer

Friday, March 20, 2009

Sean's American Bistro: Excellent Restaurant in Buford, GA

Last night I had the privilege to eat at a great restaurant in Buford, Georgia for the RETechSouth dinner; it was Sean's American Bistro in the live, work, play community called Buford Village. The atmosphere was terrific, I met a bunch of neat people and the food and drinks were amazing!

In case you're unfamiliar with the Buford Village development, it is conveniently located on Buford Highway at the Hamilton Mill intersection. This multi-function community sits on ten acres and 30,000 square feet of office space, 23 luxury town homes and 55,000 square feet of retail shops. These stores and restaurants include: Sean's American Bistro, Carter Elite Photography, Cone 7 Wines, Brand Bank and Smith's Bath and Home.

So, dinner was great; we started out the evening with an hour of cocktails, networking and listening to the live band. Next we ate a delicious dinner...appetizers included bread, spinach and artichoke dip and BBQ shrimp. We had our choice between four various entrees, which I chose the Lobster Tortellini. Oh wow! This was excellent--it was pasta with a cream sauce and huge pieces of lobster with spinach, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes (which by the way, I don't eat mushrooms or tomatoes and this dish still tasted great without those ingredients)! We followed up dinner with cheesecake for dessert. :-)

If you have a chance, I would highly recommend checking out Sean's American Bistro and the shops at Buford Village. Very cool atmosphere and a neat experience. A big thanks goes out to Matt Fagioli and Brad Nix making this possible!

Thank You For Reading!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Harbins Park Grand Opening Ceremony!

Well, I'm very excited to share that Harbins Park is having their Grand Opening this Saturday, March 21st! I have enjoyed watching the progress of the park as it was being created and let me tell you, it's going to be a really great place to exercise and hang out!

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the park at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the celebration will last until around 2:00 p.m. Some of the free activities include: hay rides, crafts, pony rides, face painting and bike safety demonstrations. Also, people from local mountain biking and equestrian will be there to answer questions. A concession stand will be available for you to purchase food as well.

I have been anxiously awaiting the opening of this park, especially since it's so close to my home. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the Grand Opening because I'll be on a plane to Colorado to go skiing...but it's definitely something I'm going to check out first thing when I get back!

This would be an excellent family event to take the kids to and I believe the weather is supposed to be nice and warm on Saturday! Get out there and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Thank You For Reading!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Understanding the New $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Did you know that if you're a first-time home buyer purchasing a house between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009 that you can receive a tax credit up to $8,000?

Photo By: Jack Duval

Previously this government incentive to purchase a home was limited to $7,500 and had to be paid back over the course of 15 years. However, some changes have been made, which I will outline here that will hopefully answer all of your questions.

Photo By: Simon Doggett

Who can receive the credit? Only first-time home buyers are eligible and they must close between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. Investors or people purchasing a second home can not receive this credit.
What is a first-time home buyer? A buyer who has not owned a principal residence in the 3 previous years before buying a home. If you are married taxpayers, NEITHER you nor your spouse can own a primary residence; in other words if one of you owns a home (a primary residence) you can't obtain the tax credit if the other spouse purchases a home.
How is the amount of the tax credit determined? It is limited to 10% of the sales price of the home, but a maximum of $8,000.
What are the income limits on people claiming the tax credit? For single taxpayers the income limit is $75,000 and for married taxpayers filing a joint return it's $150,000. If you want more specific details on this, please visit http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com or ask your CPA or a tax professional.
How do I claim the tax credit? Simply claim it on your federal income tax return; just fill out IRS Form 5405 to help you know how much to claim and write it on Line 69 of your 1040 income tax return. No other forms are required.

An important difference between this tax credit and the $7,500 credit put into effect July 2008, is that this $8,000 DOES NOT have to be paid back! The only stipulation is that you must live in the home as your principle residence for at least three years, if you don't you will have to pay back the credit.

Also, because this tax credit is refundable, you could potentially receive a check from the government for part or all of the $8,000. To help you understand this a little better, here's an example from the Federal Housing Tax Credit's website:

"For example, if a qualified home buyer expected, notwithstanding the tax credit, federal income tax liability of $5,000 and had tax withholding of $4,000 for the year, then without the tax credit the taxpayer would owe the IRS $1,000 on April 15th. Suppose now that the taxpayer qualified for the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. As a result, the taxpayer would receive a check for $7,000 ($8,000 minus the $1,000 owed)."

Photo By: Visit Hillsborough

So, first-time home buyers, with this excellent tax incentive, coupled with the low interest rates and the extensive amount of homes on the market, why wouldn't you buy a home this year?

If you still have further questions, please watch the video below provided by the National Association of Home Builders.

(Please note, the content from this post was obtained from the Federal Housing Tax Credit's website.)