About Dawson County, GA

It's that time of the year again. July 4th, the day we pay homage to Patriotism and Independence. Of course if you know me or have read many of my blogs, you know that I am as patriotic as they come.

I LOVE AMERICA!

I can't even hear the National Anthem without getting a tear in my eye. Ever since I was a child, my patriotism has been a real soft spot in my heart. I get a quiver inside just to meet and shake hands with a veteran in uniform, or place my hand across my heart and pledge to the flag. My graduation commencement speech was a poem titled "I love America", and I barely got through it without my voice breaking. Click here to read.

I'd like to think that all of us are patriotic every day, not just on July 4th. I usually start every day with a few moments of gratitude and being blessed to be an American has always been on my list.

I realize that the state of our country isn't well at the moment. We do have many issues and it's probably going to get worse before it gets better. But if you do some research you will find that America is still the greatest country in the world, and thousands of people every day do everything possible just to get here- legally and otherwise.

What does it really mean to you?

I'm excited to announce that Dawson County will host the first ever Dawson Day Extravaganza, complete with Independence Day fireworks at Rock Creek Park.

Gates open at 5:00 pm

Free admission

There will be fun for all ages

Food & Games available while you listen to the 'Frogs' play some of your favorite songs.

Don't miss this exciting day!

Contact me if you need more information or directions!

Kimberly Wilson, Your Dawsonville Real Estate Specialist...Keeping you in touch and informed!

My husband just completed a course here at Big Canoe to be support to the firefighters in this area. He, with the Broker of All Mountain Realty, even has a Fireman's uniform and let me tell you it is HOT! Actually, both ways!

Often people are not happy that the fire protection is so limited in the more rural area, so this is away to solve some of that concern. There are many people, both men and women, that have volunteered their time and backs to help when disaster strikes in Big Canoe, this is just one of the ways. Rural living brings out the best in people, everyone stops looking to someone else to solve a problem, they pretty much roll up their sleeves and pitch in. The barn raising mentality, I suppose. Mike is to go out, if available, for any fire in Big Canoe and if needed in Pickens and Dawson County. This is like the firefighters that you see on TV that are fighting those terrible California fires! Areas could not possibly staff enough people for any real disasters, so they share and use volunteers to augment.

Last year we had no fires in Big Canoe. Most of our fires come from poorly maintained chimneys and we have seen a real upswing in the use of chimney sweeps! That's such good news! But our community is ready, if needed, with a very handsome bunch of capable, prepared Firefighters!

Governor Perdue has signed HB 261, creating a Georgia income tax credit up for the purchase of an eligible single-family residence. Although we are happy that the tax credit made it to the signing table, there were a few changes from the original bill that was passed by the Senate.

The credit is limited to eligible purchases made between June 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009. If you have already closed on your home purchase this year, you will not receive the credit. The credit can be claimed only one time per taxpayer.

The final version of the bill contains an amendment to clarify condominiums and residences occupied at the time of sale are eligible for the credit. In addition, eligible single family residences include :

- new single family residences

- previously occupied residences that were for sale prior to the May 11, 2009 and are still for sale after May 11, 2009

- owner-occupied residences with respect to which the owner's acquisition debt is in default on or before March 1, 2009 (meaning pre-foreclosure properties)

-residences where a foreclosure has taken place and are owned by the mortgagor or the mortgagor's agent (properties owned by the bank)

There has been little debate about the need to stimulate the housing market. However, state budget deficits left approval of HB 261 in serious trouble. It was finally decided to reduce the overall maximum benefit of the tax credit to $1,800 or 1.2 % of the purchase price (whichever is less) spread over three years so that the overall impact to the state was reduced by allowing the credit to be claimed over three years, while continuing to provide a significant benefit to potential homebuyers.

It is important to note that this is not just for First Time Home Buyers. Anyone purchasing a home may be eligible for this tax credit.

It is also important to note that this is not in lieu of the Federal Tax Credit of $8000 that purchasers may also be eligible to receive.

For specific questions about the tax credits and what it means to you, contact your tax professional.

Now, more than ever is the time to buy. If you have been waiting, wait no more!

Call Kimberly Today!

I am committed to bringing you the latest, most up to date information to help you navigate the real estate market today!

Have you been waiting for an update about the Georgia Tax Credit for homebuyers?

Wait no more, here is the latest.

Yesterday evening while attending a business event, I was able to speak directly to Senator Chip Pearson about it. I asked him why the Governor had not signed the bill into law yet. He said that Governor Purdue is waiting for the April Revenue Figures to come in. Once he can see what the numbers are, he will begin to sign the bills that passed in the order of importance. Unfortunately, if the numbers are low some bills that passed will probably not make it into law this year.

Hopefully, the home buyers tax credit will be one at the top of the list. We firmly believe that the recovery of the housing market will be what propels the economy.

I'm not clear on just how long it will be before the April Revenues are in. Of course, the month isn't over yet. I would think we are looking at towards the end of May at the earliest for a resolution.

If you are in the market to buy, don't let this keep you on the fence. You will be able to take full advantage of the tax credit as long as you purchase by December.

However, the excess inventory is being sold. Sales are on the rise and as the inventory goes down, prices will go up and bargains will be much harder to locate.

Interest rates are still low and there are great buyer programs available! Waiting could cost you several thousand dollars.

Contact Kimberly Wilson today! I'm committed to keeping you informed and providing you with the most up-to-date information available.

I've been in the real estate business for more than a decade. I have worked for a broker who would not allow any adjustments to commissions, and broker's who let me charge whatever I wanted. One broker I worked for actually had a discount listing option and I admit that I used it a few times. So, I preface by saying that in some very rare cases, it may be necessary to have such an option available. However, my theory about commissions is that the clients could care less..as long as they get what they want and are happy with the services they received from you.

Yesterday on the way home from a closing, my client said to me " I know you don't make alot of money on this, and I just want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I appreciate it so much. And, give me another business card. I want to give it to my new neighbors who just put their house up for sale by owner. I'm going to tell them how great you are."

We never discussed how much money I made on the deal in literal terms. But of course the commission paid to my company was on the HUD 1 statement. And in spite of this she still felt that the services she received outweighed the compensation I would receive.

We have agents running around trying to "list the masses" and thinking that making a little money on many listings will be better than making a decent commission on just one. You know these people. We call them the 'here's your sign & good luck' agents. If you're like me, you have probably listed a home that expired after the 'here's your sign & good luck' didn't produce a buyer. These agents are missing the whole point.

What is the point? The point is that it's not how many buyers and sellers you get, it's how many you keep.

Do you breeze through their lives, rushing and giving them only half the professionalism they deserve leaving them with a bad attitude when they see your commission on the HUD1 at the closing?

Do they feel like you 'got too much of their money' for what little you did?

Do they express opinions to others that 'realtors make too much money for nothing'?

Or...

Do they ask for more cards and thank you and refer you to their friends, family and co-workers?

Do they call you when their mother needs to sell her home?

Do they remember your name in 5 years when they are ready to move again?

Referrals, repeat business, clients for life....I'll take that over instant gratification anytime.