Buford Category
Georgia Housing Tax Credit Bill
May 14th, 2009 Categories: Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Financing, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Hoschton, Lake Lanier, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Real Estate Business, Snellville, Sugar Hill
Today, House Bill 261 was signed by Governor Sonny Perdue. This bill provides an $1800 tax credit which would be taken over three years. This bill is immediately in effect and is meant to spur the housing market. The amount of the credit will either be $1800 or 1.2 percent of the purchase price (whichever is less).
If you are a first time home buyer, this tax credit would be in addition to the $8000 federal credit. Eligible properties include single family residences including condos, previously occupied homes that were listed for sale before May 11, 2009 and are still listed, and bank owned properties. The bill did not include investment properties.
The goal of this bill is obviously to provide an incentive to move current inventory and to get would be home buyers back in the game. If you, or anyone you know, are ready to purchase a home, Signature Lending Group would love an opportunity to earn your business and to help you take advantage of the new tax savings. We are more than willing to hold your hand throughout the entire process. Call us anytime at 678-387-5580.
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Window of Opportunity
April 22nd, 2009 Categories: Buford, Chateau Elan, Dacula, Duluth, Financing, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Hoschton, Lake Lanier, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Real Estate Business, Snellville, Sugar Hill
In recent months, I have been talking to you about the “window of opportunity” when it comes to mortgage lending. As I type this post, rates are within a half a point of the lowest rates in country’s history. If you have been sitting on the fence waiting for 4% interest rates, here are a few items to be mindful of:
1) I have reviewed key components of Obama’s Stimulus Package – and nothing in the plan guarantees 4% mortgage interest rates the media keeps talking about. In fact, as Fed Chairman Ben Bernacke alluded in his March 15th “60 Minutes” interview, the Fed’s long term plan is to raise rates as the economy shows signs of recovery.
2) Lenders are continuing to tighten guidelines, which means:
a) Credit scores needed to qualify have increased significantly in the last 30 days. I expect this trend to continue.
b) Many lenders are asking borrowers for larger down payments than in recent years. Fortunately, Signature Lending Group is still offering programs with as little as 3.5% down on FHA loans.
Again, my message here is that we are very likely entering the late stages of our “window of opportunity”. If you or someone you know are wondering if the time is right to purchase a new home or refinance an existing one, please call me immediately. I promise to give you the straight answers that will help you make the most of these chaotic economic times.
Chuck Walden, President
Signature Lending Group, Inc
678-387-5580
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Gwinnett County Home Bargains
December 16th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill
Did you know that some of the best deals in Gwinnett County and our surrounding areas are not bank owned foreclosures? Sure, there are a number of current inventory homes that are priced to sell but not every foreclosure is a deal. I can tell you that we just put a foreclosure under contract that is a new home and it should/could have sold a year ago for close to $300K and we got it for under $200,000. This is a great deal and if you want to know where it is located let me know. There are a couple more homes in this subdivision and the bank is willing to deal.
Over the past year or so more and more buyers are regularly calling me and asking where all the bargains are in foreclosed and or short sale homes in Gwinnett and surrounding counties. Well, the simple answer to that question is to start getting an email list of homes that I can provide that shows what homes are currently bank owned and ready for a great bargain if you know what to do and how to get the best deal.
How do you do that you might ask? Get a qualified agent to represent you in the transaction. If not me, fine, get someone else, but do not try to get into a dual agency situation on bank owned homes. This is not a time to try and go it alone. Honestly, if you do not feel I am the right person, no problem, I will be happy to refer you to any number of fellow real estate agents out there that are ready, willing and able to assist you.
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Positive Action for Mortgage Rates
December 4th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Chateau Elan, Dacula, Duluth, Financing, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Hoschton, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Real Estate Business, Snellville, Sugar Hill
According to the Washington Post this morning, the Treasury Department is considering intervening into the mortgage market. This intervention would dramatically force down interest rates. They are actually talking about driving rates down to an interest rate of no more than 4.5%. The National Association of Realtors feels this would definitly boost the housing market. In the meantime, if you are considering refinancing your current residence, DO NOT wait for the rates to drop. You need to go ahead and get your application in and ready to go with a target in mind. Signature Lending Group has been ramping up thier staff for months in anticipation of the huge influx of applications. The time is now. Do not hesitate or you may miss the opportunity of a lifetime.
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Gwinnett Market Report for October
October 10th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Lake Lanier, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, Sugar Hill
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Listing Your Home With A Realtor
October 8th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Chateau Elan, Dacula, Lawrenceville
It is interesting to me that in the recent months I am seeing less and less homes that are being marketed as “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO). Hopefully home owners are starting to realize that simply sticking a sign in the front yard, place a classified ad in the Gwinnett Daily Post and wait for the phone to ring is not feasible and it does not get results. Homes that are offered as FSBO’s eventually list their home with a real estate agent 85% of the time.
Time is money and money = time.
Thereʼs only one way to get houses sold in a todayʼs tough real estate market and that is to offer your home for sale with a qualified real estate agent (hopefully a Diamond Dwellings Agent).
Just put yourself in the buyerʼs shoes. If you were going to be searching for a new home today, how would you begin your search? Youʼd probably go straight to your computer and type something into Google or Yahoo or MSN to find houses. Youʼd probably search for something like “Gwinnett Real Estate” or maybe youʼd search Realtor.com or Zillow.com (or one of the many other real estate portals).
Did you know that 82% of all persons who are looking for a home start their search on the internet. Of those, 93% look at homes with multiple photos first. That is why we place homes on over 100 international websites. The FSBO websites that are out there are hard to find, offer little information and typically cost a pretty penny to get a home “listed” on.
Hereʼs the point…
“Great Internet Marketing is the only way to sell your house today” Diamond Dwellings is a local Gwinnett real estate brokerage with BIG, global internet presence. If you want your home sold, please call us today!
Weʼll get it done fast. Weʼll get it done right. Weʼll just get it done.
For more information, please visit www.GwinnettDwellings.com
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Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
August 28th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Fun Stuff, Gwinnett
One of the many hidden treasures in Gwinnett county lies just a couple of miles from the largest and busiest shopping mall in the southeast. Hidden and secluded in the wooded areas just southwest of the Mall of Georgia is the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center along with its nearly 8 miles of walking trails and surrounding natural scenery.
The building’s award-winning “green” construction captures your attention immediately with its multiple roof surfaces covered with soil, grass and other plants. The stone and timber construction is settled naturally into the varying slopes of the property with a stream and multiple water falls flowing beneath the center of the structure. Native plants of Georgia make up the natural growth landscaping. Inside the building the staff and exhibits are here to provide an enjoyable, interactive look into Gwinnett county’s natural and historic make up. This is a great place for families and groups to visit for a wonderful learning experience. The center sponsors periodic classes, field trip visits, boy and girl scouting programs, and also provide opportunities to rent the facility for special events such as weddings, birthdays, cocktail parties, grand galas and more. Check it out!
Photos taken Aug 28, 2008
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
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Gwinnett County – How does the Real Estate Market Impact You
August 22nd, 2008 Categories: Buford, Dacula, Gwinnett
In the past month or so we have seen a number of homes go into foreclosure in Hamilton Mill which are now being marketed for sale in the local listing systems.
What is going on here? Life, that is what is going on. As the United States economy struggles to gain its footing and jobs are being eliminated in many sectors, tough times are falling on some of our neighbors and friends and you know what, you may not even know it is happening around you.
Just the other day I was talking to someone in Hamilton Mill and he made the comment to me that he was totally unaware of “John Doe’s” financial problems and wished that John had talked to him about it. He had a feeling something was going on. John always used to keep his home and yard very well kept and then 6 months or so ago he noticed things seemed to be a little different. John lost his home and now is looking for alternative housing and a decent paying job.
Here is something to think about.
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Chateau Elan Sales Stats and Market Update
August 19th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Chateau Elan, Gwinnett
In the past we have looked at the sales statistics for numerous subdivisions in the greater Atlanta area and in an effort to provide this useful information, Diamond Dwellings is pleased to provide the most recent Chateau Elan market report.
One of our goals at Diamond Dwellings Realty at Mill Creek is to provide Chateau Elan homeowners and potential buyers accurate information on the current real estate market.
We have compiled the following data for the Chateau Elan subdivision from the Atlanta FMLS listing system (some data may also be from Georgia MLS) as of August 19 2008.
Recap: We are still in a VERY competitive market and pricing, incentives and flexibility are key factors in getting homes sold. Our Team at Diamond Dwellings continues to be a market leader in the Chateau Elan area. We are your choice for all your real estate needs.
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Gwinnett County Schools Set ACT Record
August 14th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Gwinnett, Lilburn
Gwinnett County Public Schools students have set a record for the system’s highest-ever composite score on the ACT. The ACT is a curriculum-based test designed to measure college preparedness. The Counties average composite score of 22.2 out of a possible 36 points is also higher than the state’s average of 20.6 points and the national average of 21.1 points, a news release states.
A closer look also shows that more Gwinnett County students took the ACT during the 2007-08 school year than ever before, and the average scores on the individual tests also rose. (The) results are a direct reflection of the great teaching and learning that occurs in our high schools,” said Jorge Quintana, the school district’s spokesman. “Our teachers truly care about our students, and are committed to preparing them for a bright and successful future.”
In Georgia, high school seniors made gains on the ACT, even as the national average for the college readiness exam fell.
The state’s composite ACT score rose to 20.6 in 2008, up from 20.3 in 2007. Nationally, the number fell to 21.1, down from 21.2 last year. Georgia’s scores increased in every subject area tested by the ACT and the state moved up three spots to 41st, up from 44 in 2007 and 47 in 2002. Gwinnett, Cobb and Fulton counties led the state in schools with the highest scores, as each school district had at least five schools with scores above 22.
The results of these test scores are welcome news to anyone who has children in the school system and we all should be extremely proud of all students, teachers and school administrative personnel. Congratulations to all.
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