Homestead Exemption 2017

Happy New Year! If you purchased a new (primary residence) home last year, it is now time to file for Homestead Exemption if you have not done so already. According to Georgia law, if you purchased your home between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 you may be eligible to claim a Homestead Exemption, which will reduce your property taxes. The following is county­-by-­county contact information and deadlines for filing Homestead Exemption. Be sure to confirm eligibility and requirements with your county of residence.

CHEROKEE:                      2782 Marietta Hwy, Canton                 678­-493­-6120

      File Dates: By April 1, 2017

You must file in person. Bring a copy of driver’s license & warranty deed.

www.Cherokeega.com  

Office Hours: M-­F 8:00am-­5:00pm

CLAYTON: 121 S. McDonough St, Jonesboro

      File Dates: By April 1, 2017

New property returns should be made in person with recorded copy of Warranty Deed and Settlement Statement. Address changes should also be made during this period. A valid Georgia's Driver’s License with correct home address required. 

www.claytoncountyga.gov/departments/tax­commissioner/exemptions.aspx

Office Hours: M-­F 8:00am-­5:00pm

COBB: 736 Whitlock Ave, Suite 100, Marietta                                770­-528­-8600

        4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta

        4700 Austell Road, Austell

File Dates: By April 1, 2017

File by mail or in person. Provide warranty deed, identification, your license tag number and

name of current mortgage company. Most new property owners will receive a form by mail or may be requested after January 1. 

www.cobbtax.org

Office Hours: M-­F 8:00am-­5:00pm

DEKALB: 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur               404-­298­-4000

                1358 Dresden Drive, Atlanta

                2801 Candler Rd Suite 66, Decatur

File Dates: January 2 – April 1, 2017

Apply online or by mail ** Should receive information in the mail sometime in January, if not call. Return by certified mail with a copy of your warranty deed.

www.co.dekalb.ga.us/taxcommissioner

Office Hours vary by location so call or check website for details

FORSYTH: 110 East Main Street, Suite 260,                                 770-­781­-2106 

                        Forsyth Administration Bldg., Cumming, 30040

        File Dates: By APRIL 1, 2017

You must file in person. Bring a copy of driver’s license (address must match property address) & recorded warranty. Only those whose name(s) appear on deed can file. Download the Form

www.forsythco.com

Office Hours: M-­F 8:30am-­5:00pm

FULTON: 141 Pryor Street, Suite 1047B, Atlanta                         404-­612­-6440

                        7741 Roswell Road NE, Suite 261, Sandy Springs 404-­612-­6440

                        3155 Royal Drive, Suite 175, Alpharetta                 404­-612­-6440

                        5600 Stonewall Tell Rd, Suite 224, College Park         404­-612­-6440

        File Dates: By APRIL 1, 2017

File online, mail or in person. Requires copy of your photo ID, car tag number, social security number for self and spouse. You may be able to file by mail ONLY if your

deed is already in the system.

www.fultonassessor.org

Office Hours vary by location so call or check website for details

GWINNETT:       75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville (1st floor)                   770­-822­-8800

         File Dates: By April 1, 2017

Should receive information in mail by end of January or call after February 1st to request an application by mail; to file in person, bring your warranty deed. Or apply online.

www.gwinnetttaxcommissioner.com

Office Hours: M-­F 8:00am-­6:00pm

HALL:                 2875 Browns Bridge Rd, Gainesville                              770-­531-­6720

                        You may also Fax to… 770-­531-­3968

File Dates: Before April 1, 2017

Tax Assessor's Office mails to property owners for the current tax year. You must be living in

the property as of January 1 to qualify. Call if not received

www.hallcounty.org

Office Hours: M-­F 8:00am­-5:00pm

Please note that the above phone numbers, addresses and dates were verified as of October 2016. The locations and dates are subject to change without prior notification to our office. Please be sure to contact your county for thorough information and requirements.

Home Maintenance Checklists for Every Season

Home Maintenance Checklist – Summer Tips

This Summer home maintenance checklist offers tips and advice to keep your home’s systems–especially your air conditioning–in good working order during hot Summer months.

1. Change/clean HVAC air filters.
2. If applicable, have your septic tank system inspected to assure that it is in good working order.
3. Have lateral sewer lines inspected and cleared.
4. Inspect driveways, sidewalks, patios, bricks, and other concrete or stone surfaces for cracks. Repair as needed.
5. Remove hair from drains in tubs, sinks, and showers using drain cleaner that is appropriate for your system.
6. Inspect decks, steps, and wooden structures for wood rot and other damage. Make repairs as soon as possible to minimize further complications.
7. Weatherproof all wooden surfaces if it has been two years or more since you last did so.
8. Check eaves around your home’s roof, chimneys, caps, etc. Remove flying insect nests. Fix any damaged areas.
9. Test ground-fault circuit interrupters around your home. Examine electrical cords for wear.
10. Inspect washer hoses and dryer vent system.

Home Maintenance Checklist – Winterize Your Home

Our Fall maintenance checklist offers tips and advice to winterize your home’s systems and make sure they are in good working order during the upcoming Winter months.

1. Have your heating system professionally inspected.
2. Change/clean HVAC air filters. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean out forced air registers and ductwork in your house.
3. Check the weather stripping around your exterior doors and windows. Repair gaps or other damaged areas.
4. Inspect the caulking around the exterior doors and windows. Reapply if necessary to minimize drafts and keep insects out.
5. Properly “close” your pool. Make sure water is drained from pipes, and cover your pool to keep it clean and safe during the off-season.
6. Clean your chimney and fireplace to minimize chances for fire-related problems during Winter.
7. Inspect your roof for damaged shingles, flashing, skylights, dormers, etc. Repair as needed.
8. Inspect attic and basement for signs of birds, squirrels, bats, and unwanted guests. Seal entrance holes.
9. Drain water from outdoor faucets, garden hoses, and underground sprinkler systems to minimize freeze damage.
10. Insulate pipes outside the home and in unheated basements and garages.

Home Maintenance Checklist – Winter Tips

Below is a home maintenance checklist offering tips and advice to keep your home’s systems in good working order during Winter months.

1. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries and any damaged equipment.
2. Take fire extinguishers to a certified inspector to make sure they function properly.
3. Change/clean HVAC air filters.
4. Check faucets in your kitchen, bathrooms, basements, etc., for leaks and other problems. Clean the lint out of your clothes dryer vent.
5. Check refrigerator and freezer gaskets. Place a dollar bill on the seal then close the door; if the bill easily moves, the seal is not working properly.
6. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean coils on the back of your refrigerator and freezer.
7. Flush water heaters to remove sediment and improve efficiency.
8. Dye test toilets and repair identified leaks.

Home Maintenance Checklist – Spring Cleaning Tips

Below is a home maintenance checklist offering Spring cleaning tips, and advice to get your home’s systems in good working order for the upcoming warmer months.

1. Have your air conditioning system professionally serviced.
2. Change/clean HVAC air filters.
3. Clear debris from around the outside of air conditioner, removing the cover, if applicable.
4. Inspect windows and doors to make sure they function properly. Replace if necessary.
5. Check putty around windowpanes and weather stripping around windows and doors. Fix as needed.
6. Check window and door screens. Replace or repair as needed.
7. Check locks, latches, and hinges on your doors and windows. Replace or repair as needed.
8. Trim back trees and shrubs as needed to eliminate overhanging branches and to improve curb appeal.
9. “Open” your pool for the swimming season. Make sure your pump and filtration systems work effectively, and that your chemicals are balanced.
10. Pressure wash your home’s exterior, and apply touch-up paint as required to address paint failure.
11. Remove leaves, small branches, and debris from gutters, downspouts, and down-spout extensions so that water properly drains away from your home.
12. Look for sagging or otherwise damaged gutter components. Repair if necessary.
13. Inspect your basement or crawlspace for dampness.
14. Turn on water to outdoor faucets, turn on irrigation system, and check sprinkler heads. Make needed repairs.
15. Clean the screens on roof vents and louvers.
16. Examine caulking around sinks, tubs, and showers. Reapply if necessary.
17. Remove early signs of bird nests and stinging insect nests from eaves, ledges, etc.
18. Check foundation walls and wooden areas at or near ground level for signs of termites and other wood-boring insects

The Low-down on Zillow (and other public search sites)

A recurring discussion in my line of work - with both clients, friends, and other agents - is Zillow and the infamous "Zestimate" that they have marketed so brilliantly to the public.  There was a great article written recently about just this, which delves into what this and other public real estate sites can offer you.  I can't begin to tell you how many times a client has emailed me about a home they saw for sale on one of the public sites, only to find out when I look in our MLS that it sold weeks ago.  Or even more common - the Zestimate they see online is a widely inaccurate estimate of their home's value.

Don't get me wrong - the public sites are a good tool for many things. They are a quick way for a consumer to find out what a home last sold for as well as community information regarding demographics, schools, and crime rates. However, they are not particularly great at doing what they claim they are made for, namely helping the public to search for a new home. That's what a Realtor is for!

A good Realtor can quickly set you up with a custom search site that pulls directly from the MLS and therefore is both accurate and up-to-date. Likwise, the only way to get an accurate idea of the value of your home is to have an experienced and knowledgeable agent create a Comparative Market Analysis for you, which is specific to your unique property. Plus we can also provide everything the public sites are decent at with regards to community info, sales history, and market trends.

So all of this is to say: if you would like information about your home's value or you are just interested in what your neighbor's home sold for, contact a Realtor! We are more than happy to help - it's our job, after all!

My Recent Sales

Here's a quick peek at some of the awesome homes I have sold recently. My listings have all sold in under 30 days in the last 6 months and most of them sold at or above list price!

East Cobb

Duluth

Marietta

Smyrna

Grant Park

Roswell

Marietta

Roswell

Roswell

Woodstock

Cabbagetown

Old Fourth Ward

Midtown

Buckhead

Roswell

Smyrna

Woodstock

Sandy Springs

Marietta

Alpharetta

Woodstock

Thanks to all my amazing clients for following my extensive list of instructions to get their homes ready to list.  =)   It is a testament to all their hard work that these homes sold as quickly and for as much money as they did!

For Sale By Owner: Things to consider before going this route

Trying to decide between selling your home on your own as a for sale by owner or choosing a full service Realtor like myself? Do you have a potential buyer interested in purchasing your Atlanta area home? 

Before you make the jump and decide to do FSBO, ask yourself these questions to avoid costly mistakes: 

• Have you already met with an attorney to verify you are doing everything correctly? 
• Do you have the correct paperwork and forms to fill out for both seller and buyer or did you print random documents from the internet? How about mediation, what do you know about how this impacts your sale? 
• Are you familiar with the term "Seller's Disclosures" and know where to find them, how to properly fill them out, and what the law requires?
• Are you familiar with title companies, what fees they charge you and how they prorate taxes? 

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you may want to consider hiring a professional Realtor who has knowledge in housing transactions. You may be thinking as a for sale by owner you will save money, but ask yourself: why are you not considering hiring a Realtor to help you? 

Here's the advantages of hiring a professional: 

• We have access to so many more marketing tools than you do. Here in Atlanta, we have not one but two MLS systems that all full-service Realtors use (this program feeds out listings to housing websites on the internet and other real estate companies in the area); as a FSBO you have no access to these systems and no way for other agents to find your home when performing searches for their buyers. In addition, I know that I personally spend thousands of dollars a year to make sure that my listings are promoted on every available real estate website, jump to the top of Google searches through smart search engine optimization, and are featured with beautiful, professionally designed marketing pieces. 
• My agency has money to advertise your home in the paper, magazines, brochures, local news, radio, and TV. RE/MAX owns the largest market share of TV and radio voice not just in Georgia, but nation-wide as well.
• Companies such as RE/MAX are more reputable and well known by prospective buyers, and people will trust a brand name agency over private homeowners. The RE/MAX Balloon is as recognizable as the Nike Swish!
• For sale by owners increase their chances of engaging in "dispute resolution" after the closing. What does this mean? If the new owner finds something wrong with the house (water damage, leaks, etc), they can sue you and take you to court, particularly if you mishandled that "seller disclosure" piece I talked about earlier. At this point, you will need to hire an attorney and pay out of pocket costs at your own expense. On the other hand, Realtors are insured and also have access to their company attorneys. 
• Convenience - what do you know about scheduling buyers to tour your home? How will they gain access and what security measures do you have in place? Have they been pre-approved for a loan to buy the house? If the potential buyer is not pre-approved for the price of your home, then they are wasting your time. 
• FSBOs historically are much more likely sell their property under value, both because they are unable to properly price their home from the beginning and because they lack the negotiation skills and training that a Realtor has spent years perfecting. According to the latest Keeping Current Matters article this month, for sale by owners sell their house substantially lower than if they worked with a Realtor
• Although you may be frustrated with paying for an agent's commission fee (the Atlanta average is 6-7% of the sales price, which is split between the Buyer's and Seller's agents), you still may earn more profit in the long run and it will certainly be a much easier and more stress-free process with a professional doing all the work.

If you have been thinking about selling your home (or have a neighbor interested in purchasing it), contact me today to discuss what I can do for you, and how the services I provide will help you to sell your house with the least amount of stress possible while also achieving your financial goals!