Cherokee and Cobb County Neighborhoods

It may seem like time to hit the panic button for the Tax Credit — but the April 30th timeline is deceiving.  You do have to be in a BINDING CONTRACT by April 30th — but you dont actually have to close on the transaction until July 1st, 2010.   There is the $8000 tax credit for the first time homebuyer.  This does not have to be paid back — but the home must be occupied by the buyer for a minimum of 3 years.  The move-up tax credit does not just apply to buying a more expensive home — it just includes present homeowners in the fun!  This tax credit is for $6500 and again the home buyer must occupy the new home for a minimum of 3 years.  If it is not possible to occupy the home this long you will have to pay back some of the tax credit on a pro-rated basis — depending on how long you did live there.  The income limits for this credit are fairly liberal — I won’t go into all the numbers in this article — but email me at sueboughton@remax.net or call me at 678-549-4949 and I will forward information to you that explains everything in very understandable language.  It would be a pity to not take advantage of discount home prices — the lowest interest rates in history — and this tax credit combined — so call now and get set up on an email program where you can view all the homes that match whatever criteria you enter into the search.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
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>евтини мебели  OFFICIAL!!!  The tax credit has been extended for First Time Home Buyers.  AND a great caveat is that present HOMEOWNERS may also be eligible for a tax credit up to $6500!!  YEAH!!!  The extension will last until April 30, 2010 …. but buyers have 60 days after this date to close as long as they are under contract by the 30th of April.  With present homeowners the tax credit is available as long as they have been in the home as their principal residence for five years or more.  There are still 100% loans available and some funding programs so if you thought you missed the boat for Nov 30th …. you didn’t.  Come back on board & give me a call…. you can start your search knowing this is still a fantastic buyers market….rates are still amazingly low…. and the inventory of available homes is huge!  Call me at 678-549-4949 and I will email you a list of homes that match your criteria today!!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility

The word is officially out on Short Sales — “not for the faint of heart.”  Even Clark Howard has been explaining on his show that short sales are better suited for investors than the typical home buyer.  Why?  Mostly because the outcome is so unpredictable–if you are really needing a place to move into sooner or later–you just don’t know IF the short sale will come to fruition or WHEN it will come to fruition.  Investors on the other hand can wait it out — are not worried about having to move by a certain time or close by a certain date to get a better interest rate, etc.

Now Foreclosures on the other hand are very home buyer friendly.  Local banks have been responding to offers within HOURS.  They have also become much more reasonable in their expectations in my opinion and are even working with buyers on mortgage and inspection issues.   The foreclosure homes of today are not like the foreclosure homes of the past.  Many of these homes are newer and in excellent condition for the most part.  Recently quite a bit of new construction has become available in the foreclosure market — with home warranties and all!

Call me for more information about short sales and foreclosures.  Also if you would like to take advantage of the best housing market the Atlanta area have ever seen, call me and I will be happy to show you all the great deals that are out there right now!    CELL #: 678-549-4949 …. EMAIL:  sueboughton@remax.net.  Don’t forget about the Fed and State Tax Credit –up to $9800 free money!!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility

Foreclosures, foreclosures and more foreclosures!!   I did hear on the radio the other day from Clark Howard (I listen to him all the time) that he thinks we HAVE hit the bottom– and with the low rates, incentives and warmer weather coming — the market will start moving up again.  SO - now is the time you need to buy!  I just put in a search in fmls for foreclosures in Cherokee County Georgia priced at 275K or below — and 172 homes came up!!!  You can bet a whole lot more would have come up — but another search parameter I used was to put in a date of 1990 - so only homes built in 1990 or newer pulled up.  Of course Clark Howard is not the only person in the financial area that feels we are “bottomed out” right now.  But why take a chance??  There will probably never be this amount of inventory with these kind of prices and historically low rates available again!!  My specialty lately has become foreclosures and short sales - so call or email me now.  I can provide you with as many distressed properties to look at as you have time for and you WILL find a fantastic deal - I guarantee it!  Call or email me - Sue B - 678-549-4949.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility

According to an article at CNNMoney.com - the Atlanta area is one of ten cities that will bounce back from the housing doldrums in 2009.  I will list all the cities, but first want to point out what makes Atlanta and the other nine cities candidates for this honor.  #1. The first thing they have in common is that they have all remained relatively affordable.  #2. They did not experience an enormous run-up in prices in the housing bubble like Florida and California.  #3.  Five of the ten are state capitals - with hefty public payrolls.  #4.  They did not attract a lot of speculators and investors that ran up home prices (this fits in with #2).    #5.  The employment rate and income growth have remained more steady than other areas of the country.  Now I will list the 10 cities - not in any particular order along with the median homes sales price in the first quarter of 2008.

1.   Atlanta - $177,750

2.   Dallas/Fort Worth - $151,930

3.   Indianapolis - $122,940

4.   New Orleans - $153,850

5.   Montgomery - $140,020

6.   Memphis - $143,550

7.   Mobile - $134,580

8.   Austin - $186,350

9.   Houston - $154,850

10. St. Louis - $143,920

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility

It goes without saying that North Georgia real estate has never seen a foreclosure and short sale market like this!  Following along with the rest of the country, the housing recession has finally hit here.  Of course this is a great time to be a buyer not only because of all the selection of homes at such depressed prices but because interest rates are at a record low.  For many loans a 4% - 5% interest rate is now available.  Also the foreclosure homes that are coming on the market are not the same breed as before.   Unlike the past–broken windows, stained carpeting, vandalism, etc are really NOT the norm.  Most of the homes I am showing these days are only a couple of years old and in very good condition.  I think the low teaser rates and then the sudden jump in the monthly mortgage payment caught many homeowners by surprise.  But this does explain why we are now seeing an influx of very attractive foreclosure and short sale homes being offered for sale.   For first time buyers this is a great time to be purchasing a home.  For others it can be a great time to move up or to purchase an investment home.  Cherokee County, Cobb County and Fulton County are all very sought after areas to live because of the great neighborhoods, amenities, and schools.  Contact me for more information on foreclosures and short sales in any of these areas.  All neighborhoods and all types of homes have fallen victim so whatever you are looking for if you are patient we can find it - and at a huge discount!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility

Cherokee County was recently listed as the 18th fastest growing county in the country.  There are many reasons for this with the 2 biggest being low taxes and affordable housing.  There is so much development going on in northern Cherokee it is hard to list it all, but I will mention some of the more exciting things coming soon.  The Bluffs at Technology Park, located in Canton, is a beautiful 700-acre office park that features professional office and business space in low and mid-rise buildings.  One of two new buildings is now completed and the first tenants are moving in this month! Another exciting addition to the Canton area is being billed as the “largest open-air mall in the Southeast.”  So far some of the anchor stores are SuperTarget, Kohls, Lowes and JCPenney.  Many more will be coming and are slated to open in early 2009.  Downtown Canton is also being noted for its Canton Theatre productions and County Arts Center.  These are both very active programs with productions and workshops going on all year long.  For more information on residential or commercial real estate please contact me - Sue B at 678-549-4949.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates today for the third straight meeting this quarter. What does this mean for the consumer? It means that if you are looking to get the best mortgage rates you need to act now! Since Sept. 18th the Federal Funds Rate has gone down 100 basis points. If you have a loan tied to the Prime Rate - this means your rates have been lowered a full point. For those seeking new financing you must act now to take advantage. Despite this latest cut - it appears rates could actually increase in early 2008. Why? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced loan level price adjustments that are already starting to show up on lender’s rate sheets. LLPA’s are automatic penalties that can tack on costs in the form of points or higher rates for almost anyone with a FICO score less than 720.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
Created by Sue Boughton - Email: sueboughton@remax.net
PHONE:678-549-4949
Automatically email me Here
Another Great Home Search Utility