Decatur, GA

A much-needed overhaul of Georgia's property tax system might be on the horizon. On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) introduced a 47-page bill that features more than 40 changes in the current property tax system and would, according to Rogers, grant homeowners more power.

"The collection of taxes should be fair, transparent and easy to understand. Sadly, the property tax system in Georgia accomplishes none of these things," Rogers said. "This legislation attempts to bring fairness to an unfair system." He said that while home values have dipped across the state, property tax assessments have remained artificially high. His bill, for example, proposes that homeowners can be taxed only for the price of their home.

If you buy a home this year and you don't do anything to it, whatever you paid for it should be your assessment for that year," Rogers said. The AJC found during an eight-month review of sales values and tax appraisals in Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties that assessors routinely ignore sales when they fall below tax appraisals. The study found ZIP codes all over metro Atlanta where median sales fell more than 30 percent but median tax appraisals dipped between 5 percent and 10 percent.

The proposed bill, SB 346, includes:

• Year-round property appeals.
• Making sure that every property receives an annual notice of assessment.
• Statewide uniformity of assessment notices and appeal forms.
• Allowing counties to accept payment plans for property taxes and discounts for early payments.
• Establishing time limits for assessor action in response to appeals.
• Requiring a unanimous vote by Board of Equalization members to increase assessed value.

I'm not holding my breath for this bill to pass soon, but it's good that our legislators are addressing the issue. Hopefully a resolution will pass for a better way to assess property values in the future.

*** Many thanks to Damian Cook, Brayden Capital Home Mortgage for providing this article.

If you need assistance with mortgage financing, please call Damian at 770-512-3420.

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Thank you for visiting our Atlanta Real Estate Blog

Posted by: Kerry Lucasse - Atlanta GA Real Estate Agent - Atlanta Home Search Team
The ATL Home Search Team is part of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Intown Atlanta and Decatur Real Estate, Foreclosures and Bungalows & Historic Homes

CALL US ANYTIME AT 404.432.1844

SEE MY CLIENT FEEDBACK AT: http://www.KUDZU.com/merchant/1106107.html

DeKalb County and Decatur Georgia Courthouse Historical Markers

Tour of historical markers around the old courthouse square in Decatur Georgia

Old Decatur Courthouse

DeKalb County historical marker. DeKlab Couny created in 1822.

Namesake

Stoneman Raid, Battle of Atlanta, Civil war

Wheelers Calvalry Historical Marker, Battle of Atlanta, Civil war

Confederate memorial marker at original front of old DeKalb County Courthouse

Vietnam memorial at DeKalb County Courthouse

City of Decatur Historical Marker

DeKalb County History Center Home Page

DeKalb County History Center Old Courthouse on the Square

DeKalb County History

DeKalb County was named for Baron Johann de Kolb, a native of Germany and self proclaimed baron who aided the colonists in their fight for independence. The City of Decatur was named for Stephen Decatur, a naval hero in the War of 1812. DeKalb County and Decatur Georgia Courthouse Historical Markers were placed to commemorate their fight for freedom

Atlanta Real Estate - Selling your home

If you're thinking of selling your Atlanta or Decatur home this Spring, we highly recommend that you do so sooner rather than later to ensure you have the largest pool of potential buyers. Here's why...

1) Reduced Inventory = Less Competition

With fewer homes on the market, your home is going to stand out from the older listings

2) Interest Rates Forecasted to Increase in late March

Mortgage rates are near historic lows, BUT the Federal Reserve Board's mortgage backed securities purchase program is set to expire. Once the Feds stop the purchases entirely at the end of March, rates are expected to rise.

3) Changes to FHA Financing ***

Most of the first-time buyers use FHA financing and as of April 5, 2010, there are some big

changes that will reduce the number of buyers that can qualify (or afford) to purchase

YOUR home. Minimum credit scores are increasing, the mortgage insurance premium will

increase 0.5% and buyers will only be able to build 3% of the closing costs into their

mortgage (previously it was 6%).

4) First-time Buyer AND Repeat Buyer Incentive

To qualify for the tax credits, buyers must have a valid contract on a home by April 30th

and complete the purchase by June 30th. Let's face it, probably 20% of the homes that go

under contract on April 30th will fall through because the buyers have problems with their

financing. To ensure that you, the seller, can benefit from the stampede of home buyers,

it would be to your benefit to get an offer in March and SELL your home in April.

5) The weather is warming up!

Nice weather brings the home buyers out of the woodwork. [Thanks, Mother Nature!]

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Thank you for visiting our Atlanta Real Estate Blog

Posted by: Kerry Lucasse - Atlanta GA Real Estate Agent - Atlanta Home Search Team
The ATL Home Search Team is part of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Intown Atlanta and Decatur Real Estate, Foreclosures and Bungalows & Historic Homes

CALL US ANYTIME AT 404.432.1844

SEE MY CLIENT FEEDBACK AT: http://www.KUDZU.com/merchant/1106107.html

Home for Sale at 2457 Brookdale Drive - Atlanta 30345

If you are looking for a fantastic deal on a move-in ready home in the highly acclaimed Lakeside High School district, THIS IS IT!

Yesterday, we reduced the price of this 4 bedroom / 2.5 bath beauty by $25,000 -- it is now just $275,000.

Located just around the corner from Oak Grove, Sagamore Hills and Briarlake, this 2-story home in Brookdale Park offers easy access to shopping, the interstate (I-85 and 285), and a friendly, quiet neighborhood.

Here are just a few of the MANY highlights...

• 4 bedrooms on 2nd floor (one bedroom is perfect for a nursery!)
• 2.5 bathrooms (two upstairs, half bath on main)
• Separate office on main level
• Formal living opens to formal dining - perfect for entertaining!
• Spacious family room includes fireplace and French doors overlooking the backyard
• Light & bright kitchen with easy access to family room, breakfast nook and formal dining rooms - the kitchen also overlooks the backyard, so it's a great way to keep an eye on the kids or the family dog
• Hardwood floors throughout the home (except for bathrooms and kitchen)
• Spacious, fenced backyard
• Wonderful curb appeal on a quiet street in Brookdale Park
• Storage galore with walk-in closets in two of the four bedrooms Optional pool membership at Briarmoor Manor Pool (starting at $275 per year)
• Great school district - Hawthorne Elementary and Lakeside High School
  

I've toured almost every home in the neighborhood and with the new price of $275,000, this home will certainly outshine ANY other homes in the area. If you would like to schedule an appointment to view the home, please call Kerry Lucasse at (404) 432.1844.

View more photos and tour this home online at:

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Thank you for visiting our Atlanta Georgia Real Estate Blog

Posted by: Kerry Lucasse - Atlanta GA Real Estate Agent - Atlanta Home Search Team
The ATL Home Search Team is part of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Atlanta and Decatur Real Estate, Foreclosures and Bungalows & Historic Homes

CALL US ANYTIME AT 404.432.1844

Decatur for Haiti - Catherine with the Decatur Minute asked that we help to spread the word. Many of our Decatur GA businesses are stepping up to help the Haiti Earthquake victims. The following businesses in downtown Decatur and Oakhurst have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds from Monday, February 1, 2010 to the American Red Cross.

• Brick Store Pub
• Cakes and Ale will be closed for a private party, but is still donating a portion of its proceeds.
• Chick-Fil-A from 5-8 p.m.
• Fleet Feet
• Fresche, 12-6 p.m., $25 haircuts with all proceeds going towards the cause.
• The Grange donating proceeds from their Saturday renaming party and on Monday.
• Heliotrope
• HairWerks is offering $25 haircuts and $10 brow waxings which will all be donated.
• Iberian Pig
• Little Shop of Stories will hold a special storytime at 7 p.m. about the importance of helping others.
• Matador Cantina
• Mingei
• Nectar
• Palate Cafe and Bar
• Pambili African Artworks
• Peggy's Boutique
• Saba during lunch and dinner.
• Steinbeck's
• Twain's
• UJoint

Come on out and support our local businesses. After all, they are a big part of what makes Decatur a great place to live, work and play. At the same time you'll be making a difference for the Earthquake victims.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Decatur Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

View more of the Georgia Real Estate Voice. Search Decatur GA homes for Sale