About Liberty County, GA

First-Time Homebuyers (FTHBs): First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000.

Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.

Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

What are the New Deadlines?In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.

Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction It's important to remember that the tax credit is just that... a tax credit. The benefit of a tax credit is that it's a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time homebuyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.

Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

Higher Income Caps The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.

Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible

Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

Maximum Purchase Price Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000.

Intersted in Buying a home in the Hinesville and Fort Stewart, Georgia area? Call Janie Diggs, Associate Broker, Realty Executives Liberty, 912-980-1319 or 912-877-6600 ASK FOR JANIE.

Information given by Donna Jones, VP and Branch Manager for Pine State Mortgage. Call Donna is you would like to see if you are qualified to buy at 912-572-4000. Be sure to tell her Janie Diggs recommended you to her.

The Dorchester Academy Museum in Midway GA needs your help today!

Recently while traveling in Georgia, we had the chance to visit the Dorchester Academy Museum of African-American History in Midway GA. They need to raise funds to stabilize and restore their historic campus.

Following the Civil War, there was a great need for education throughout the south. In 1868, the school that would become the Dorchester Academy was started as a primary school and Congregational Church by the AMA. An abolitionist, Eliza Ann Ward, was sent from Massachusetts to open the school in "Goldings Grove" and taught until 1872. Floyd Snelson was then hired to foster the school. In 1879, the school was enlarged to provide secondary education to freedman in Liberty County and was then named the Dorchester Academy. The Academy was both a day school and a boarding school. In 1934 the entire graduating class was admitted to college, and the school was classified as one of the best schools in the state. The school grew and prospered until 1940 when Liberty County built a consolidated public school for black youth.

The Academy closed and many of the old buildings were torn down in 1945. The AMA then donated $10 for every $1 toward the remodeling of the brick boys dormitory - the Elizabeth Moore Hall. The facilities were turned over to the new Dorchester Cooperative Center (DCC). The Center included the Credit Union (founded in 1938), the Farmers Union, the Liberty County Political Council, and Dorchester Improvement Association. The programs developed at Dorchester were a model for later community development in the 1960's. In 1968, the Liberty County Schools were integrated.

"In 1961 the Southern Christian Leadership Council in cooperation with the American Missionary Association (AMA) established "Leadership Training Programs and Citizenship Schools" at Dorchester to train grass roots leaders from throughout the south". Andrew Young headed the project in the formative years and Dr Martin Luther King was deeply involved and often visited. Leaders from throughout the country taught and trained here and King's biographer contends he planned his 1963 Birmingham campaign while staying here.

Many of the original buildings have been removed over the years, but the original brick boy's dormitory built in 1934 (and named in honor of Miss Elizabeth Moore, the first African-American woman principal) is being restored in the center of the campus and has been listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. This building has been the center of much of the key activity over the years including the time that the Southern Leadership council used the facilities. The original rooms and furniture used by Dr King are still preserved in the building.

Today, the building is badly in need of restoration and needs your help. On April 28, 2009, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Dorchester Academy to its 2009 list of the 11 Most Endangered Places in America. "The Academy .... has been an institute for education, community development,and positive political and social change since its founding day" - Pres Jimmy Carter. Our Thank You to Don O'Neal for taking the time to show us throughout the property and explain its history.

All donations and help are greatly needed and appreciated - contact:

Don O'Neal
Dorchester Academy Museum of African-American History
912-884-2347
PO Box 51, Midway, GA 31320
www.dorchesteracademy.com

"In addition to its highly significant role as a school for generations of African-American students, Dorchester played a seminal role in the great social movements of our nation's history." - Richard Moe - National Trust for Historic Preservation

(Note: all above history is a compilation taken from the website, on site displays, National Trust site, and discussions - please let me know if you find any errors/missing information)

This week's issue of the Frontline announced the military's increase in 2009 BAH (for those that are not familiary with military, this is the housing allowance ). It has increased $89/mo. For exampe, E-1 thru E-4 with depedants will now get $1052 per month. With interest rates in the last week being at 5%, and available programs at 0% down with 30 years: $1052 is the house payment of a $145,000 home (this includes an estimated $290 for taxes and insurance, which may vary depending in where the home is and the insurance company used) ! There are several houses to include new constructon at this price and even less. Feel free to conact me if you have any questions. www.janiediggs.com

The General spoke at the Liberty County Chamber of Commerces "Progress Thru People" Luncheon this month. He talked about the 5th Brigade that is going to be created at Fort Stewart. "Between now and 2013 at least 10,000 more people wll be pouring in here." He mentioned that this brigade that currently doesnt exist is already on the deployment chart and how critical it is to the Army for this brigade to be built. The Commader stressed the need for planning and preparation.

Liberty County is still growing and prospering through even these "tough" times. Because Fort Stewart is our immediate neighbor, we benefit with vast real estate expansion and thriving businesses.

Liberty County is the place to invest, to live, and to grow.