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Paul Renton ABR e-Pro, CPDE

More people moving for positive reasons than recession

Half of people surveyed by Relocation.com moved to improve their living situation. This is a huge improvement from last March when the majority of people moved due to the recession.

•26% moved to live in a bigger or better home

•24% moved into a better neighborhood

•12% moved to be closer to family or friends

•9% moved into an area with a lower cost of living

•6% moved due to a change in marital status

•3% or less for each of the following: school, job loss, retirement, or foreclosure

For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com

On August 20, the first phase of the credit card bill that was approved in May took effect.

On August 20, the first phase of the credit card bill that was approved in May took effect.

Key changes in the way credit cards work include:

1.Customers will now receive 45 days notice,
up from 15 days, before interest rates increase. 2.The minimum balance due can increase by no more
than two times the percentage that it previously has been. 3.Bills must be mailed 21 days, up from 14 days,
before the payment is due.

The balance of the bill's provisions will become effective in February. Until then, consumer advocates' concerns center around credit card issuers continuing to increase rates, lower credit limits, decrease rewards programs, and close inactive accounts. Credit card companies reaffirm these actions are not due to legislation but decreasing credit scores.

This bill intends to help consumers control credit and unknown expenses. As consumers consider buying or selling a home, knowing monthly expenses becomes increasingly important in understanding how much they can afford and are comfortable spending on housing.

For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com

Cash For Clunkers IS Big Success!!!

"Cash for Clunkers" began July 24 with such overwhelming demand that the program, originally set to expire November 1, burned through funding with amazing speed. In the first week alone, the incredible demand depleted the entire budget of $1 billion. A second round of $2 billion in funds extended the program's life by a few weeks, but the program ended on August 24 with no plans to revive or extend it.

The success of the program has put 690,000 new fuel efficient cars on the road and has saved jobs in the auto industry. In some cases it has even brought laid-off employees back to work. For example, GM announced plans to reinstate almost 1,400 employees and add overtime for a substantial number of existing employees.

The government's $8,000 first time-home buyer tax credit has also seen tremendous success with first-timers making up 30% of all buyers in July. First-time buyers made up as much as half of all buyers in earlier months this year. As the tax credit reaches its expiration, the government may take a similar approach as with the Cash for Clunkers program- declaring it a success and unwinding the program.

For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com

FLOOD INFORMATION UPDATE Tuesday, October 6, 2009

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Celebrate Douglas County

FLOOD INFORMATION UPDATE
Tuesday, October 6, 2009

For the latest information on roads and disaster assistance, please visit:
www.DouglasCountyEMA.com.


Douglas County Debris Removal
Douglas County and West Georgia Waste are placing dumpsters in community locations - not at individual houses - with the location assistance of FEMA.
If you need assistance in debris removal, call the Cedar Mountain Landfill at 770.920.4937, extension 105.
The Cedar Mountain Landfill will be open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, October 17th, to accept debris from the flood at no charge to Douglas County residents (proof of address required), residential customers only (commercial disposal not eligible).
The Cedar Mountain Landfill is located on Cedar Mountain Road northwest of Douglasville. Cross the railroad tracks at Rose Avenue/Hudson's BBQ, make an immediate right, then an immediate left on to Chicago Avenue. Continue for 3.8 miles (Chicago Avenue changes its name to Cedar Mountain Road) and the landfill will be on your right.
Remember that we have a recycling center at the Landfill!

City of Douglasville Debris Removal
For City residents, the City Sanitation Department will pick up items damaged as a result of the flooding. If you live within the City limits and have water-damaged items, contact the City Sanitation Department at 770.920.3005 or e-mail to sanitation@ci.douglasville.ga.us.

City of Douglasville Road Updates:
www.ci.douglasville.ga.us

Douglas County Road Updates:
www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com
New Openings:
Capps Ferry Road Bridge over the Chattahoochee River
Pool Road between Berea Road and Post Road

Free Assistance

  • For help with debris clearing, re-building, removing belongings, call the United Methodist Church Disaster Relief Help Desk at 678.533.1443.
  • For help getting the mud out of your house, call Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief at 1-800-460-6881.
  • Affected residents can call 211 or 678.623.2859 for local assistance from United Way agencies and volunteer groups registering with United Way. Volunteer organizations can also call 678.623.2859 to donate time, labor, materials and money.


Contractors
There is no such thing as a FEMA construction contractor. FEMA provides funds to individual homeowners and businesses to help recover but does not hire contractors. Beware of people representing themselves as FEMA contractors. Get their "business" card and report them to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department at 770.949.5656.
Please use Douglas County contractors and businesses for your repairs. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, or the County. If you use a local business, then you know where to find them if you have problems later on. Out-of-town contractors will be long gone.

Call the Sheriff's Office
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office asks that you call them at 770.949.5656 to report anyone seen looting any damaged home or any suspicious people or activity in Douglas County, particularly in the flood-damaged areas.

Volunteers Needed to Read to Children Thursday
To assist with early literacy efforts and to get books into the hands of children, United Way is partnering with Jumpstart to read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to over 70 pre-school and elementary school classrooms in Douglas County this Thursday, October 8th. To volunteer to read in a school this Thursday, please call the United Way of Douglas County at 678.623.2861 or e-mail hnutter@unitedwayatlanta.org.

We only send emails to people who signed up for the newsletter through www.celebratedouglascounty.com or who requested to be signed up by phone.

Market Comment - Week of October 5th, 2009

For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot For further information about Metro Atlanta. orIf you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com

Market Comment - Week of October 5th, 2009

Mortgage bond prices rose last week pushing mortgage interest rates lower. Consumer confidence came in weaker than expected helping rates rally Tuesday morning. The ADP employment release showed more job losses than expected. The employment report Friday morning confirmed the ADP payroll data indicating the US economy shed 263,000 jobs in September.

For the week, interest rates fell by about 7/8 of a discount point.

Another round of Treasury auctions hits the market this week. Solid foreign demand will help rates remain the same or improve. Signs that foreign demand is diminishing will not bode well for mortgage interest rates. Weekly jobless claims set for release Thursday will carry a bit more weight than usual due to the lack of other economic data.


Economic Factors

Economic Indicator

Release Date Time

Consensus Estimate

Analysis

3-year Treasury Note Auction

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009

None

Important. $39 billion of notes will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.

10-year Treasury Note Auction

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

None

Important. $20 billion of notes will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.

Consumer Credit

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

Down $9.5 billion

Low importance. A significantly larger than expected figure may lead to lower mortgage interest rates.

Weekly Jobless Claims

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

None

Moderately Important. A measure of employment. Job weakness may help rates improve.

30-year Treasury Bond Auction

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

None

Important. $12 billion of bonds will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.

Trade Data

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009

$33 billion deficit

Important. Affects the value of the dollar. A falling deficit may strengthen the dollar and lead to lower rates.

Professionals

Obtaining a mortgage is often a confusing task that can also lead to frustration. The reason for the confusion is due to the fact that mortgage financing is complex. The good news is that this complexity provides consumers with options and choices best suited to fit their needs.

Everyone's financial position is unique. Some people have large cash reserves that can be used for down payments while others want to get into a home with little or no money down. Credit ratings vary from person to person. In addition, future plans vary. Some people plan on staying in their home for the rest of their lives while others only plan on staying for a few years.

These facts alone make comparing your mortgage to your neighbor's based on rate alone a flawed endeavor, yet many people attempt to do so. Admittedly, everyone wants a good deal. Keep in mind that comparing rates is just one component of the entire mortgage. Other variables include the term, down payment requirements, income qualifications, credit ratings, reserve requirements, current debt, prepaid points, and many more.

A mortgage professional is able to take all of these variables that are unique to each individual and help a person obtain the mortgage loan that works best for their situation. The service they provide is time consuming and complex. However, the rewards of dealing with a professional carry forward throughout a borrower's life. Making wise financial decisions today helps to pave the way for a safe and secure future.