Last night, the Senate voted the eoncomic stimulus bill forward with the $15,000 tax credit for homeowners still intact.
After a final vote today, the Senate will send the bill over to the House. 
Final passage of the bill faces a bumpy ride in the House, as the Senate version contains $110 billion more in tax cuts than the previous House version.
Please call your House representative to let them know that you support the $15,000 tax credit.
The National Association of Home Builders Legislative Hotline - 1-866-924-6242 - has made it ridiculously easy to do just that.
Call...Now...No, really, now...I'll wait...
As the Senate prepares to take a final vote on the economic stimulus package, there has been talk of trimming the $15,000 tax credit for homeowners that was proposed last week.
Let your elected officials know where YOU stand on the issue.
The National Association of Home Builders Legislative Hotline - 1-866-924-6242 - makes it as easy as pushing a few buttons to do just that. Call the number, enter your zip code when prompted, and you are immediately given the option to leave a message with each of your two senators and your representative in Congress.
I would urge each of you to make the call right now on this matter of great importance!!
For those of us who love Atlanta, there is a terrific website that chronicles the changes to Atlanta over the past 50 0r so years, using photographs.
It is chock-full of great photos like the ones below that show the first Waffle House in 1964, and the same building in 2005.
The site is 
AtlantaTimeMachine.com, and I think you'll enjoy it!
In an effort to jump-start a housing market that's in precipitous decline, Senator Johnny Isakson, Republican of Georgia, sponsored an amendment to the economic stimulus package that is making its way through Congress. Under Isakson's provision, homeowners would receive a tax credit of up to $15,000 for any home purchased as a primary residence and would be in effect for one year after the stimulus bill is signed into law. By a voice vote of the Senate, the amendment was accepted unanimously.
The tax credit would allow home buyers to receive a tax credit of 10 percent of the price of a primary residence, up to $15,000.
Some leading economists are criticizing the amendment, saying that this will lead to yet another artificially-induced boost for the housing sector, the same kind of faulty impetus that led to the housing bubble -- and burst -- that we are trying to claw our way out of now.
But according to Mr. Isakson, a former real estate broker, his proposed amendment is modeled after the $2,000 homebuyer incentive offered in 1975 that helped lead the country out of a recession.
Said Mr. Isakson at a news conference, “We do have a history in this country with housing and it goes back to the crash of 1974, which actually in terms of inventory and price declines was comparable to what’s happening now,”
“Within one year of the inception of that tax credit, two-thirds of the available inventory that was on the market was gone. The market moved back to a balanced inventory, values stabilized and things became very healthy. The only reason I know all of that is I was selling houses in 1974, that’s what I was doing to feed my family and make a living.”
I do wonder what the effect of the tax credit would mean to North Georgia mountain real estate. Would it have that much of an impact given that the incentive is for primary residences, and we are primarily a second-home market? I suppose that any kind of housing stimulus would mean more money in second-home buyer's pockets.
When all is said and done, I am hoping that Mr. Isakson's plan works as well now as it did in 1975, and that the clouds are finally parting for the real estate market.
The economic stimulus package is still being voted on, so it remains to be seen whether or not this amendment makes it into the final bill. This would be a good time to contact your Congressional representatives to voice your support for the amendment.
The New York Times recently ran an article in its "Your Second Home" section extolling the virtues of hot tubs. Funny, this particular article should have appeared now, as hot tubs have loomed large in my life over the past two weeks.
I recently had lunch with two friends who shared their New Year's Eve exploits with me. Basically, they spent the evening in a hot tub with several other folks, some of whom were complete strangers to them at the start of the night. Copious drinking ensued, and my two normally sensible friends (one of them sensible almost to a fault) then engaged in behavior so shocking, I daresay that it would have made Bret Michaels blush (that's probably impossible to do, but it sure made me blush!).
This is not the first time I have heard shocking hot tub tales. Not being a fan of the steamy cauldrons myself, it leaves me to wonder what is it about a hot tub that turns my normally level-headed friends into characters from "Rock of Love?"
Just days later, we had a closing nearly implode because of a hot tub. We were the listing agents on a delightful Toccoa River access cabin that was set to close on January 22. The week leading up to the 22nd, the North Georgia mountains experienced an unusual cold snap that sent temperatures plunging to single digits at night. Our sellers came up to spend their last few days in the cabin the weekend before closing. Thinking they were averting a potential freezing problem, they drained the hot tub that was out on the deck. Unfortunately, they drained the tub, but didn't know that they also needed to drain the piping and the motor -- a mistake I could see myself making, as well.
Instead of preventing a problem, they actually created a major one. The water left in the pipes and motor froze in the days leading up to the closing. When the buyers came to do their final walk-thru on the morning of the 22nd, they started to fill the hot tub to make sure it was working and water began leaking everywhere. The buyers immediately called the closing attorney's office and called off the closing until we could get the problem resolved. $800 worth of repairs later, the problem was resolved, and the property closed. But, it was a nail-biter for sure.
The New York Times and most other folks may consider hot tubs to be a second-home "must-have," but, as for me, I'll leave them to the more adventurous...and Bret Michaels.
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Covering the North Georgia mountains like the dew, I serve the communities of Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Suches, Mineral Bluff, East Ellijay, Cherry Log, Morganton, McCaysville, and Epworth.
My name is Kim Southern. After working in banking for many years, I decided to follow my passion and become a full-time real estate agent. My family and I moved to the North Georgia mountains several years ago, and it didn't take me long to recognize the exciting potential of this beautiful region to become a highly sought-after second home market. Little over an hour's drive from Atlanta, and less than a day's drive from all points in Florida, Blue Ridge and Ellijay are fast becoming a destination for folks looking for their own little piece of heaven.
Selling real estate is what I love to do. My desire to help people find the home of their dreams--as corny as that may sound--still drives and fulfills me.
I specialize in one thing--the finest in customer service. That may sound simple, but it means that I 
must have a mastery of:
We first met Kim a few years ago when we purchased our second piece of property in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains! We had already owned a 3 acre parcel in Blairsville, but not only couldn't we get our previous realtor to call us back, we could hardly get anyone to return a message or answer our questions. We finally stumbled across Kim Southern via her website and when we called, she actually answered her phone.
During our first conversation with her, we developed quite a bond. She was very nice to talk to and extremely helpful. It was obvious that she was very familiar with the North Georgia area. In our subsequent conversations, we developed a trust and a relationship with Kim that we had not previously experienced with other realtors.
When we finally went to Georgia to meet with her (we are from Florida), we tied her up all weekend long. She showed us everything we had spoken about and more. We decided on a piece of property in Ellijay and had her sell our land in Blairsville. We knew from our meetings that Kim is a very dependable and trustworthy realtor and a person of high ethical values. Although she did not make much money from our sale or purchase of land, she continually treated us as if we were very important clients.
After the sale, we began to build a cabin in Ellijay. Kim would voluntarily check on our property while we were building our cabin. Being 700 miles away, this was very much appreciated. She would constantly keep in touch with us and became our ‘eyes & ears' in Georgia.
We have since become good friends with Kim and her family and look forward to visiting whenever possible. I would sincerely recommend Kimberly Southern as a realtor that you can count on! She's the best!
Craig & Tiffany
Hi Kim-
When we decided to change our life direction, we never dreamed we'd find such a wonderful Realtor - & Friend - in Kim Southern! We purchased a couple alpacas to diversify our portfolio. Being an animal lover, I got tired of agisting them at someone else's farm. So I began looking for property to bring us all together. I searched the internet, newspapers & those little real estate books. I ran countless hours to "drive-by" the outside before I called my current at the time realtor, (not Kim), because she was too busy with her life to take me.
My husband happened across a property in the North GA Mountains...I called to set up a viewing with the listing agent which turned out to be Kim. I got lost on my way there, & unable to call Kim because my cell phone didn't work in that area, I had to find a pay phone. Kim just laughed & told me she'd see me when I got there. An hour later, I finally made it!
Turns out that property wasn't right for us...but with Kim's never-ending perserverence, we finally found the right one. Kim worked with us for nearly 2 years, looking at different properties in at least 8 counties, researching county ordinences, scouring the internet listings, even taking pictures of places that hadn't made it to the internet yet! She made this exhausting adventure a reality for us. She was always happy & eager to get out to walk the numerous acres with us...she knew if the land wasn't right, the house didn't matter...click & go next.
To say Kim is just our Realtor would be an understatement. Throughout this entire process, Kim became our friend as well! My husband used to joke with me about who was I going to talk to after we finally closed on our house? Little did he know...!
When we outgrow our new alpaca ranch, Kim will be the lady we'll call to help us take the next step, even if we have to get her licensed in another state! I recommend her highly to anyone who wants to find that perfect place to call home. I have confidence she will do everything in her power to get you to where you want to be.
Thank you, Kim, for everything you have done for us. You have been a very big part in making Circle C Alpacas what we are today. We wish you all the best!
Sincerely,
Tom & Lisa
Dear Kim,
We want to thank you for the excellent work and energy you demonstrated on sale of our cabin in Cherry Log. Obviously, this is a buyers market with an abundance of cabins for sale in the North Georgia market; however, you were able to sell our property in less than 8 weeks! Something we did not think could happen. I feel your website, local marketing techniques, and knowledge of the market all contributed to this quick sale. However, I feel your dedication and personal involvement with your clients was the part that made this transaction and our partnership a success.
We sincerely enjoyed working with you and Century 21 Realty. You displayed great professionalism at each step on this process. Your guidance and recommendations were always accurate and lead to a positive and successful association. If I can ever serve as a recommendation for you in the future, please advise, as it will be a great pleasure to recommend such a professional and ethical Real Estate person. Thank you, again, for all your efforts and dedication in selling our property.
Best Regards,
David & Tricia
Dear Kim,
Please accept my deepest appreciation for all the creative and time-consuming work you did to sell my cabin in Morganton, GA. You worked hard, and it showed. In an area where log cabins are so abundant, you helped mine stand out among the others. With good pricing and fabulous advertising (the virtual tour was awesome), it sold quickly.
As you recall, the buyer could only give me 30 days to find a new home, pack and move. You managed to set up both closings on the same day! We went from cabin to closing, moving, to the closing of the new house and in the new house within 12 hours!!!! What a day!!!
Your professionalism and warm personality are a pleasure in a world in turmoil. Your goal, "I just want everyone to be happy," is a not only said but acted out in a way that makes you unique. It was definitely my fortune to have been referred to you. I have and will continue to refer you to others.
Thank you again for all your great effort.
Sincerely,
Joan
Dear Kimberly:
It is the time of year to remember all the things we are thankful for and you are at the top of the list. I remember during the anticipating days and weeks after you listed our home in Ellijay. One Realtor had already "fired" us as a customer saying we were too fussy about our pictures. One thing about you Kim, is you don't let hurdles get in your way. I recall the day when you told me you and your husband were going to rent a scissor lift so you could get spectacular photos of our "up hill" mountain home that was sooooo hard to photograph. Needless to say between your "beyond the call of duty effort " in the beginning and at contract we were happy to see the house sold and move on to our new life.
We love your creative, sensible, thorough and willing approach to real estate and believe you will have a long line of people waiting for your services at any time of the year. If you need to have a prospective client call us we are more than willing to share the good news. May all be returned to you and more this coming year.
Best regards,
James and Glenda
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