Coastal Georgia Living by Julie Chapman Real Estate Brunswick GA 912-270-6767

Retiring?.....think tax relief in Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia

As to income taxes, the State of Georgia's Income Division's Tax website offers the following information:

Taxable Social Security and Railroad Retirement on the Federal return are exempt Georgia Income Tax.

A retirement exclusion of $35,000 is allowed provided the taxpayer is 62 years of age or older, or the taxpayer is totally and permanently disabled. Retirement income under Georgia law is defined as interest, dividends, net rentals, capital gains, royalties, pensions, annuities in addition to the first $4000.00 of earned income. Earned income is income from a trade or business, wages, salaries, tips, or other compensation. Both spouses can qualify for the retirement exclusion but each much qualify separately. Even part-year residents and nonresidents can benefit from this exclusion. Part time residents and non-residents must prorate the retirement exclusion.

For more information on Georgia's State Taxes, visit the state of Georgia Income Tax division's website or call an accounting professional.

As to real estate taxes in Glynn County, Georgia (which includes Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island and Brunswick, Georgia addresses, in addition to a homestead exemption in the amount of $10,000 of your assessed property value, a owner occupied home in Glynn County Georgia is entitled to apply for the second tier of our homestead exemption made available through the passage of legislation known as the Scarlett-Williams Act.

In 2000, this act was passed and named for its legislative sponsors. This second tier of the homestead exemption only applies if the property is your primary residence. As long as the owner does not sell, relocate or substantially remodel the property, the assessed value will be frozen. This legislation was designed to protect the residents from the many property value increases in Glynn County's due to recent years many increases in values.

This is a bit of security not everyone feels when they purchase a home. For more information, call the Glynn County's Tax Assessor or visit http://www.glynncounty.org.

Butler Plantation in Coastal Georgia....a part of American History

Major Pierce Butler (the third son of an Irish baronet) came to America and married Mary Middleton of South Carolina. Butler's sale of his military commission was used to purchase several plantations in South Georgia including Butler Plantation approximately 1 mile south of Darien Georgia. The home is now owned by the Department of Natural Resources and is used as a private residence.

Major Butler left this property not to his children, but his grandchildren if they would change their last name to Butler. So Pierce (Mease) Butler ended up with title to this property that had been cultivated with dikes and canals for the purpose of growing rice. The property has been turned into a wildlife preserve. What brings attention to most tourists driving down Highway 17 is the old rice mill chimney that still remains.

Most people's familiarity to Butler Plantation are the writings of English actress Fanny Kemble Butler, wife of Pierce Butler. Although Fanny only spent 4 months in Georgia on a trip with her husband to view his estates, Fanny hated slavery. This caused a divorce which ended with her only being allowed to see her two children two months a year. Fanny returned to her acting career but later published "Journal of a Residence on a Georgia Plantation".

Now the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area and Howfyl Plantation, Butler Plantation is an protected asset of the Department of Natural Resources and the state of Georgia.

A Majestic Place for sure......Majestic Oaks......new homes in Brunswick, Georgia

Nestled among the stately oaks of the old Scarlett Plantation, just southwest of Brunswick, Georgia, you will find the thriving new community of Majestic Oaks. Pulling from Historic Georgia and Florida architectural themes, Majestic Oaksoffers many different styles and size ranges for the first time home buyer, move-up buyer and empty nester alike. Situated in the heart of Glynn County, Majestic Oaks is convenient to downtown Brunswick and the Golden Isles, including St. Simons and Jekyll Islands as well as Jacksonville, Florida.

This exclusive Kingsouth Construction community that when completed will consist of nearly 400 single family and patio homes, several common areas, pedestrian friendly walk paths and a large multi-use play field with pool complex is located on Highway 82 just west of Interstate 95. Come and visit Kingsouth's award winning furnished model homes and see for yourself why Majestic Oaks is where you will want to call home! For more information or to view the three furnished model homes visit our website at http://www.juliechapman.com, call Chapman Realty at 1-877-221-0088 or visit our on site sales office open Saturday and Sunday from 1 - 4 and other times by appointment.

The Gallery at Coastal Pines, Brunswick, Georgia is located on the 5th Fairway of the Coastal Pines Golf course. The Gallery is an enclave of 30 uniquely designed homes crafted by Overholt Homes, LLC (building since 1969). This home is priced at $262,500.

This home, located at 122 Gallery Way, Brunswick Georgia offers standard features include hardiboard siding copper seamed roof on front porches and bay windows, brick accents including brick pavers on porches and in driveways and sidewalks, white picket fences in front yards, fully landscaped lawn with sprinkler system.

Interior appointments include fireplace, hardwood and ceramic tile floor, owner's retreat with jetted tub with ceramic tile surround, ceramic walk-in showers, marble vanities, island kitchen with beautifully crafted custom cabinets, granite kitchen counters, stainless steel appliances, coffered ceiling in formal dining room.

For information on these or other homes in Brunswick, Georgia, call Julie Chapman, Chapman Realty at 1-877-221-0088.

Brunswick High School's Pirates in Brunswick, Georgia are the 2009 2AAAA Region Champions. With a win over Statesboro 26-14, the Pirates will go into Playoffs as the Region Champions.

Congratulations to the players, parents and to the incredible hardworking coaching staff as well as band and cheerleaders who all understand teamwork.

Photos courtesy John Weber's (#73) Brunswick High 2005 football collection

GO PIRATES!!!!!!!!!!!!