The American Dream and home ownership have been partners for a long time.

One of the cornerstones of our American housing policy has been the Home Mortgage Deduction, which has been in place since the inception of the tax code in 1913, and allows homeowners to deduct mortgage interest from their taxes. The tax deduction on home mortgage interest lowers the cost of owning a home significantly.

The housing industry and prospective homeowners and sellers are facing many threats to a quick recovery.

• Limited availability of long-term, fixed-rate mortgages
• Minimum down payments of 20% or more
• Higher standards to qualify for a home mortgage
• The number of Homeowners that are still “upsidedown” in their homes
• “Short Sales” and Foreclosures that are prevalent throughout the country

Now, our fragile housing market is threatened with a more far-reaching deterrent. The mortgage interest deduction is being viewed by the Federal Government as an expedient way to reduce the federal deficit. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are once again proposing measures to limit or eliminate the deduction. The removal of this deduction would push any housing recovery into free-fall , causing the demand for homes to decrease and housing prices to tumble further.

Recent public opinion polls have indicated that although Americans overwhelmingly oppose eliminating the deduction, lawmakers who are intent on reducing the deficit find this possibility enticing. According to data from the National Association of Realtors, proposals to scale back or eliminate the mortgage deduction would cause home values to fall 15% for all homeowners, not just those with mortgages.

Lawmakers have bailed out the Banks and the car industry, but are now considering ways to cut benefits to average citizens, such as reducing Social Security and Medicare and eliminating one of the few surviving benefits of home ownership.

Do the President and Congress understand the ramifications of tampering with this long-held tax deduction, especially given the present economy and the shaky housing outlook? It seems ill-timed to say the least.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years.

You need a Property Manager for many of the same reasons you need a professional real estate agent. To make your life easier.

Realtors are licensed and knowledgeable about State and Local laws that might affect your property. For example, in some municipalities there is a limit on the number of unrelated adults that can occupy a home legally.

A good Property Manager can handle most of the sticky issues that may arise in leasing your home. They can:

• Advertise the property for lease with signs, lockboxes, information boxes and emails to other local realtors and to major local businesses. Distribute flyers and brochures to the multiple listing service, personal websites, Realtor.com, Craigslist, Postlets.com, rentdigs.com, and a host of other appropriate sites.
• Screen prospective tenants by checking credit histories, references, past landlords, and backgrounds.
• Prepare a comprehensive Lease that protects the Landlord and the Tenant, spelling out possible problems like access to the property, accountability for damage to the property, and early termination of the Lease by either party.
• Keep individual records for each client, collect and hold Security Deposits and rent. Pay maintenance bills or lawn service if requested. Send out an itemized statement to the Landlord each month, and a year-end report as well.
• Maintain the property by handling repairs when requested or necessary. Professional Property Managers have good electricians, handymen, and plumbers available, as well as lawn services.
• Let tenants into the property when they are locked out.

Perhaps one of the most difficult duties that Property Managers perform is maintaining a good relationship and communication with your tenants. Tenants come in all forms and not all of them are amiable, even though they pay the rent on time and keep the property in good condition. Prickly tenants need a diplomatic approach and one that an experienced Property Manager can handle with ease.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes located in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years and offering professional property management for homes in the Emory area.

Our Children deserve the best education we can afford to give them. Parents often make huge sacrifices to provide the best option for their children. What is the best option?

Knowing your child and their needs will help determine what type of school to look for. A quiet, withdrawn child might do better in a school with smaller class sizes where teachers can provide more individual attention. An outgoing, precocious youngster may need a school that provides more discipline and structure. Budding artists or musicians might require a more specialized school. An article written by Jamie Gumbrecht of CNN explores the difficulties and frustrations inherent in choosing the right school for your child.

Local Schools

Buying a home in a neighborhood with the best local schools is often a determining factor in choosing a home. Contact friends or Realtors who know the area. Ask them which schools have the best reputation and provide the best schooling. Schools in DeKalb County near Atlanta and Decatur, Georgia, are generally good, and several have received awards for high performance.

Magnet Schools

Many School Districts also offer magnet schools that focus on the arts or technology and usually follow a different structural organization. They are generally not governed by neighborhood boundaries and draw students from throughout the school district. The Kittredge Magnet School for High Achievers in DeKalb County has an excellent reputation and has received a number of honors.

Private Schools

Private Schools have become more popular as public education declines, and is an option for parents who can afford to pay tuition, as they receive no funding from the State. The curriculum, teaching and enrollment requirements are determined by the Teachers, the Principal and the Board of Directors. They differ widely in curriculum, but may provide a better alternative than the local school in your area. Talk to friends who have children in the school you are considering or check out websites that give general ratings. Several excellent private schools are located in DeKalb County – St. Pius X Catholic High School, the Marist School, Paideia School, and Saint Thomas More Catholic Elementary & Middle School. The only Quaker School in Georgia, The Friends School, is also located in Decatur.

Homeschooling

Home Schooling has evolved in recent years and is an option more parents are choosing. Many organizations and communities now offer support for parents that opt to homeschool their children, including field trips, sports programs, and specialized teachers for math, the arts, and the sciences. Not an easy option, but one that can be very gratifying. Check with the County or State for Home Schooling requirements, as they vary.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company, selling homes in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years, and offering professional Rental Management Services.

The American Dream and home ownership have been partners for a long time.

One of the cornerstones of our American housing policy has been the Home Mortgage Deduction, which has been in place since the inception of the tax code in 1913, and allows homeowners to deduct mortgage interest from their taxes. The tax deduction on home mortgage interest lowers the cost of owning a home significantly.

The housing industry and prospective homeowners and sellers are facing many threats to a quick recovery.

• Limited availability of long-term, fixed-rate mortgages
• Minimum down payments of 20% or more
• Higher standards to qualify for a home mortgage
• The number of Homeowners that are still “upsidedown” in their homes
• “Short Sales” and Foreclosures that are prevalent throughout the country

Now, our fragile housing market is threatened with a more far-reaching deterrent. The mortgage interest deduction is being viewed by the Federal Government as an expedient way to reduce the federal deficit. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are once again proposing measures to limit or eliminate the deduction. The removal of this deduction would push any housing recovery into free-fall , causing the demand for homes to decrease and housing prices to tumble further.

Recent public opinion polls have indicated that although Americans overwhelmingly oppose eliminating the deduction, lawmakers who are intent on reducing the deficit find this possibility enticing. According to data from the National Association of Realtors, proposals to scale back or eliminate the mortgage deduction would cause home values to fall 15% for all homeowners, not just those with mortgages.

Lawmakers have bailed out the Banks and the car industry, but are now considering ways to cut benefits to average citizens, such as reducing Social Security and Medicare and eliminating one of the few surviving benefits of home ownership.

Do the President and Congress understand the ramifications of tampering with this long-held tax deduction, especially given the present economy and the shaky housing outlook? It seems ill-timed to say the least.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years.