Helen, GA

Everyone is asking "Are we there yet"? Meaning, has the stock market hit bottom? No one know for sure, but we are about as close as we are going to get. How do you know if we have hit bottom? You DON'T! Once you know we have hit bottom, we are on our way up! It is like asking what the winning lottery numbers are...you don't find out in time to win! Once you know the numbers it is too late to buy a ticket. In real estate once you know the market HAS hit bottom, and the key word is HAS, it is too late and the rates and prices are already going up. What to do??? Use your own judgment, but ask yourself the hard questions. Do you have money to invest? Do you really believe the market and real estate are going to recover? Do you really want to get the best deal? How long can you wait? Do you know what you want to buy and how much you have to spend? Do you have a loan in place so you can take advantage of the bottom of the market? All these answers should be yes! If they are, or if you need help finding the property you want to buy, visit www.FlynnTaylor.com and see ALL the properties listed in our MLS, free! Prefer to talk? 706-865-5700 or email me Flynn@FlynnTaylor.com That way you won't be asking yourself..."why didn't I buy at the bottom"?

You want to buy a home. (Not steal a home, but get good value). You are moving, you are motivated and you are worried. This past week has frightened most prospective buyers. Are there loans out there, and are the rates something you can afford? The answer is probably so! Real Estate is local and what is happening in California, Colorado or Texas is not what is happening in Georgia. Your first step should be contacting a knowledgable real estate agent in the area you will be living. If you are moving anywhere in the United States, Canada or Australia, I can put you in touch with a top real estate professional, at no cost to you. Ask me about this service.

If you are moving to Georgia, contact me. I will put you in touch with local lenders who will tell you what you can expect in our area. What was true last week is no longer applicable today. It is very important to talk with someone who is up to date on area practices. Real Estate is cyclical, in 1979 interest rates topped 18%. That is not so today, even in our credit crunch. There are answers, get them on a local level! Talk with me 705 865 5700, vist my website www.FlynnTaylor.com or email me, Flynn@Flynntaylor.com For more on this subject visit my blog at www.HelenGaRealEstate.blogspot.com

Helen Ga has long been a destination for tourists and visitors from Atlanta, as well as other parts of the country. "How's the Market" questions are still the number 1 question I hear, but the number 1 question right now is "How's the Gas"? Better is the answer. However as Atlanta goes, so goes Helen. I mean by that, if the people in Atlanta can't get gas, they are not coming to Helen, even for Oktoberfest! Of course once the gas situation is solved, we may get some "leaf lookers".

Time changes many things, a few weeks ago we were all upset with the prices of gas, now we would gladly pay the price if we could find the gas. It is all demand and supply, not only does that drive the housing market, but the driving market also!

My calls and contact questions are changing. At one time the buyers were asking for "a good buy". Now they are asking for a "steal". My Sellers were asking for "a profit" now they are asking to "break even".

If you want to get a "steal" and are asking for a foreclosure, be sure you are ready to purchase. Most foreclosure companies will not look at offers from buyers who do not meet their qualifications to buy.

Want to know more? You can go to my website www.FlynnTaylor.com, or email me at Flynn@Flynntaylor.com Prefer to talk? 706 865 5700 and 706 839 8841!

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!