Helen, GA

Does the current economy downturn hurt possibilities of Lease/Purchase options? Perhaps it has tightened up the procedure! In the past, Buyers have been able to get into lease/purchase agreements with a minimum of problems. Now? Things are and will be changing. In the past there was a low percentage of Lease Purchase agreements that ever reached the closing table. In effect the Buyer was not able to clean up his/her credit and get a loan to close. The Seller most often ended up just being a landlord to a buyer who was not a good risk. With the credit crunch you will most likely see Buyers who have another home to sell, but with very good credit ratings. Higher down payments and penalities for not closing loom on the horizon. Buyers will think twice before entering into agreements with Sellers who really do want to sell, not rent. If the Seller can finance he will require much higher payments, down payments, credit scores and will require a shorter time prior to closing. Yes, the credit crunch will touch every facet of the real estate market. Yes, the credit crunch may be eased some for the banks and lending institutions, but for the mainstreet, there will be no bailout. Be sure and check all your options and negotiations with your attorney and financial advisor prior to closing. For local area information and to for homes for sale, or lease purchase, contact Flynn the Ga. Real Estate Lady at http://www.FlynnTaylor.com or go to the site and browse all the information for free. You can email me at Flynn@FlynnTaylor.com . Investments, resort opportunities, second homes and vacation homes! Just a short way out of Atlanta!

If you are interested in the First Time Home Buyer Tax credit of $7,500 you may have some questions.

First, who is eligible for the tax credit? A first time home buyer is a person who has not owned a PRINCIPAL residence in the 3 year period prior to this purchase. If you are single, this is easy to understand, but if you are married, NEITHER husand NOR wife can qualify if either one has owned a principal residence in the 3 year perior prior to purchase.

Second, the home must have been purchased (closed) between April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. It can be a single family home, or a condo, or a townhouse, as long as it is the Principal residence.

Third you do not have to be a US Citizen to claim the th credit. IRS Publication 519 clairifies Non Resident Aliens, who are NOT eligible to claim the credit. If you are not a nonresident alien and have not owned a principal residence in the past 3 years, and if you meet the income limits test, you may be able to claim a tax credit. (See your CPA if you have doubts about this)

Are there income limits on this credit? Yes. There are modified adjusted gross income limits and there are partial tax credits. Your tax advisor is the best source of determining your limits.

Does the money (tax credit) have to be repaid? Yes it must be repaid.It must be repaid over a period of 15 years, or when you sell your home, if there is sufficient capital gain from the sale. (This is without interest). A homeonwer claiming the full credit of $7,500 would repay the credit at $500 per year. Payments can wait two years after the credit to begin repaying the credit. A sale of the property would demand payment in full of the remaining credit amount out of the profit The remaning credit payback would not be required if there is not enough profit.

These are a few of the questions and answers regarding First Time Home Buyer Tax Credits. You should always contact your tax attorney, or CPA prior to making buying decisions using this Tax Credit.

When you are ready to find your perfect home, call me at 706 865 5700 or 706 839 8841. You can look at all the area MLS offerings on my website, http://www.FlynnTaylor.com email to: Flynn@FlynnTaylor.com I look forward to assisting you in your investment, relocation, retirement or vacation home! Welcome Home!

One of the best hikes in the Helen Georgia area takes you from the lodge in Unicoi State Park to the gazebo in Downtown. Start by driving North through Helen, then right (east) on Georgia 356.

Turn right after you enter the park on the driveway that leads up to the lodge. There is plenty of parking here. Here at the lodge, you can obtain a free map of the trail. The trail begins in the parking lot, and begins the 3 mile descent into Helen.

The trail is well marked, and is only steep in a few places. It passes through woodlands and some open grasslands. There is an excellent opportunity to spot deer, turkey, and all sorts of birds and small mammals.

There are bridged stream crossing, but use caution in very wet weather. As you come into Helen, you will arrive in the Park just above the gazebo. Here you can rest before the trip back to the lodge.

If you prefer a shorter walk, leave a car at the Gazebo parking lot and shuttle to the lodge. Each way takes about 90 minutes, and it's more of a climb going back up the hill.

Be sure to make this hike a part of your next visit to Helen. I am certain that you will enjoy it!

Photo courtesy of North Georgia Photos.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

One of North Georgia's most popular tourist destinations is the Alpine Village of Helen. Although the Bavarian façade of the town is relatively new, the history of the area is long and diverse.

The ancient Mississippians who inhabited these lands gave way to the Cherokee Nation, who settled these rich valleys in the sixteenth century. There are still burial mounds visible in the region. However, European settlers desired the fertile farmlands of the mountain valleys and eventually removed the Cherokees. The local economy became one of agriculture and timber harvesting.

As the timber was depleted, landowners in the Nacoochee Valley area sought an industry to replace logging and supplement agriculture.

The quaint Alpine village style of modern Helen was conceived in the 1960's as a way of drawing tourists to the area. Since that time, Helen has remained a North Georgia center for shopping, dining, relaxing, hiking and family-style entertainment.

You can spend hour after hour in it's quaint and unique shops. Or you can enjoy a Bavarian style feast of Bratwurst and sauerkraut. A horse-drawn carriage rides through town could top off a great meal. And best of all, it's less than a two hour ride from Atlanta! Helen can be very busy at certain times of the year, particularly during Oktoberfest.

Helen is just slightly over a one hour drive from downtown Atlanta, but is worlds apart. If you are planning a visit to the Atlanta area, be sure to add Helen to

More information about vacationing in the Helen Georgia or in the North Georgia Mountains in general including rates for cabins and other rentals?

Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and North Georgia Photos

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

The north Georgia Mountain foothills begin in Helen, Ga. If you haven't visited you should Helen Ga is the second most searched site in Georgia, the first is Stone Mountain. Helen, GA is a wonderful little resort town which boasts the headwaters to the Chattahoochee River. More commonly known as "The Hooch". If you need a place to kick back and relax, about an 75 miles northeast of Atlanta, you should not miss Helen. Come to Helen on June 5th for the Balloon races, it is a sight to behold.

Investment opportunities are great now. Interest rates are still low and don't forget about 1031 Exchange opportunities. Visit my site to see real estate in the Helen area. http://www.FlynnTaylor.com or email me. Mail to: Flynn@FlynnTaylor.com