Georgia mountains are beautiful because they were somewhat protected by creation of the Chattahoochee National Forest back in the early part of the last century. Now some of this protection is going to be offered for sale by the federal government if Congress approves. Thirty-four parcels in 13 Georgia counties have been identified for possible sale. The deadline has been changed to May 1 for comments to be made on the proposal.

The U.S. Forest Service says it cannot manage these isolated parcels of land. The management of forest service lands in North Georgia has been superb. After the timber had been taken and the hills flushed out by gold seekers, no one wanted the land, and the federal government purchased it in 1911 for $7 an acre. Since then, the forest rangers have brought back trout, deer, turkey and bear at the same time they were bringing back the forest. We are grateful to the forest rangers and their work. President Bush’s proposed budget for next year would trim Forest Service spending from almost $4.3 billion to just under $4.1 billion. We are told that it is needed “for the nation’s highest priorities: fighting the War on Terror, strengthening our homeland defenses, and sustaining the momentum of our economic recovery.” (more…)

search for : Georgia mountains, Chattahoochee National Forest, federal government, Congress, Georgia, U.S. Forest Service, gold, forest ranger, President Bush, War on Terror

When buyers purchase a home or property, they assume that everything about it is clean, perfect, unspoiled and unpoluted. In most cases it is even your legal right to assume this. But not everything may be as it seems. ON what your home built?

Often, developers of new homes need to fill in depressions on the property, or level off large amounts of the property for landscaping or storm water run-off purposes. Sometimes, even small amounts of wetlands can be filled for the purpose of construction. In every one of these cases, “fill” is necessary. Soil is brought in from various regions in order to level out the land. In many parts of the country, there is a procedure where the soil must be certified as clean — and in most cases every effort is made to ensure that the soil used to fill the void is free of harmful chemicals or contaminants. But what is “tainted fill“? (more…)

search for : unpoluted, landscaping, water run-off, wetlands, construction, Soil, chemicals, contaminants, tainted fill

Faced with foreclosure, this family tells a tale of being swindled by a dishonest individual. With mounting horror, the family came to realize that they had signed over title to their home to a man they had never heard of. It also became clear that they were now on the hook not only for their original loan of about $160,000 but also for about $150,000 in new debt borrowed against the house without their knowledge.

Foreclosure fraud is a relatively simple crime. Once a property owner misses two or three monthly payments, a lender routinely files a notice of default with the county recorder’s office. That public document is a precursor to formal foreclosure, and all a scam artist has to do to find victims is read the notices, descend on the homeowners and trick them into signing over title to their homes. (more…)

search for : foreclosure, loan, debt, Foreclosure fraud, property owner, monthly payment, lender, notice of default, county recorder, scam artist, homeowner

Did you postpone buying a home during recent years, or found yourself unable to buy due to fierce competition from other buyers? Now could be the window of opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Interest rates, although gradually rising, are still low. And, generally, the inventory of homes for sale is increasing.

The first step in buying that home or piece of property is to find out how much you can afford to pay by talking with a mortgage broker or lender. Knowing your price range will help you to determine whether you can afford to buy a single-family residence, a condominium, or even an undeveloped, building lot in the Georgia mountains. (more…)

search for : buying a home, Interest rates, inventory of homes, mortgage broker, lender, single-family residence, condominium, building lot, Georgia mountains

To finance a major renovation, the Karandikars — she is a full-time real estate agent, and he is a high school math teacher and also an agent, part time — got a $450,000 construction loan from First Horizon, a home loan lender, which also took over the couple’s existing mortgage. When the house is done, the total loan will be $1.2 million. Interest on the final loan, to be closed when the house is finished, will be “a half point or a point over the going rate at the time,” said Mr. Karandikar, who estimates monthly loan payments of $6,650.

A dream for many Americans, or a sudden challenge for those who found themselves in the path of a hurricane last year, building a house is expensive. Most people have to borrow, but even if they are flush — millionaires, or couples who have sold a house and want to reinvest — they may still want to avail themselves of a construction loan. It’s an effective way to enlist the financial expertise of a banker. “You could hire your own inspector, escrow agent or real estate attorney who might help with disbursement of funds,” Greg McBride, a senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com, which tracks banking data, said. But, he said, “the whole process of building a house is not a battle you want to do on your own.” (more…)

search for : construction loan, lender, inspector, escrow agent, real estate attorney, Bankrate.com

Rising interest rates have resulted in some borrowers to dump their short, fixed-period adjustable-rate mortgages for longer-term loans. Experts say fears of a rapidly changing market are overblown. Borrowers who two or three years ago jumped into hybrid loans (those with low fixed rates for the first three or five years that then convert into adjustable mortgages), are now taking advantage of an infrequent phenomenon — it’s happened eight times since 1966 — in which long-term interest rates are lower than short-term ones

Despite consumer fears, rates still are on the low end and are expected to remain there for at least the rest of the year, economists and brokers say. Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages averaged 6.32% last week, according to mortgage company Freddie Mac. On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve, which has boosted interest rates 14 times since June 2004, is expected to raise the rate that banks charge each other overnight. Since the Fed began raising rates nearly two years ago, long-term rates have not risen accordingly, as they historically have. (more…)

search for : Rising interest rate, adjustable-rate mortgage, hybrid loan, 30-year fixed mortgage, Freddie Mac, the Fed

An new generation of buyers are splitting off from the traditional snowbird flock and changing the definition of home away from home. With low-cost travel corridors with multiple daily flights, advances in technology, and virtual workspaces, these folks choose to split their time between a primary residence and a second home or even third home.

With 75 million baby boomers heading into their golden years, experts say the splitter factor could alter the way developers build and manage the communities of tomorrow. “The implications for future growth are considerable,” says Kenneth Johnson, a demographer and sociology professor at Loyola University in Chicago. “[Splitters] are one of the fastest-growing demographic markets.” Other than mortgage-interest deduction, there may not be any additional tax advantages to owning a second home. (more…)

If Green Acres is the place you want to be, a new report can help you trade in city life for a slice of rural America. Progressive Farmer Magazine’s,”Finding Your Place” report offers, as its centerpiece, a list of 200 of the best rural places to live (by county) in America. The list was generated using a host of data, including low population density, cost of living, crime rates, air quality, access to health care, education and leisure activities.

Know what you want. Rural property runs the gamut from timbered land to pasture; hilly to flat; and hunting and fishing spaces to personal retreats. It’s up to you to tell your real estate agent what you want to help narrow your search. Also, keep in mind you can’t build on all property even if you can purchase it. Wetlands, for example, my limit where you can build. (more…)

search for : city life, rural America, Progressive Farmer Magazine, Finding Your Place, rural, America, population density, ost of living, crime rate, air quality, health care, education, leisure

Residents of the Chenocetah Mountain area can rest a little easier now. On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Forestry Commission and cooperators performed the third in a series of urban interface burns in that area. The 180-acre burn encompassed an area between Chenocetah Tower and Old Lake Russell Road, and between the tower and Mt. Airy.

By reducing the buildup of pine needles, dead wood and underbrush, USFS officials say the risks to homes are significantly reduced. Last week’s burn was the third in a series and completes the project except for about six to eight acres, which could be burned next year, Herron said. While no one likes to see charred forestland, prescribed burns such as this one are necessary to prevent what could occur if a fire spread into the area. We applaud the Forest Service and cooperators for carrying out the burns with minimal disruptions to neighborhoods so that Chenocetah Mountain and its neighborhoods will be around for the enjoyment of residents and visitors for years to come. (more…)

search for : Chenocetah Mountain, U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, urban interface burns, Chenocetah Tower, Old Lake Russell Road, Mt. Airy

Georgia mountain counties growing in population.

Henry County Georgia
Effingham County Georgia
Jackson County Georgia
Bryan County Georgia
Douglas County Georgia
Paulding County Georgia
Coweta County Georgia
Walton County Georgia
Forsyth County Georgia (more…)

Over the decades, Georgia’s parks have become a place to camp, to picnic, to boat, to fish and to play.Throughout the year, the Georgia state parks division is celebrating its diamond anniversary with events across the state. The official kickoff will be April 29 at Indian Springs, Georgia. In 1931, Indian Springs and Vogel state parks were created, and one of the oldest state park systems in the nation was born.

lmost every state park offers miles of hiking trails, picnicking, boating, camping and fishing. But each park has its own hidden gems, too. Here are some of the state parks located closest to Gwinnett. Amicalola Falls State Park. 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville. Amicalola is a Cherokee word meaning “tumbling waters,” which is the perfect name for these 729-foot falls, the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Fort Yargo. 210 S. Broad St., Winder. The historic park features a log fort built in 1792 by settlers for protection against Creek and Cherokee Indians. The park surrounds Marbury Creek Reservoir, a 260-acre lake with a swimming beach, fishing areas and boat ramps. Hard Labor Creek. Rutledge. This park is best known for its golf course, The Creek. The actual creek, which cuts through the golf course, is said to be named by slaves who tilled summer fields or by Native Americans who found it difficult to ford. (more…)

search for : Georgia, camp, picnic, boat, fish, Georgia state parks, Indian Springs, Georgia

Just a few years back, real estate clients looked for homes the old-fashioned way. They spent hours driving around in a real estate agent’s car, hoping for the best and girding for the worst.

Home listings — once printed out in books available only to real estate agents — are obtainable to everyone online, accompanied by increasingly sophisticated photographs and virtual tours. A growing number of online services are also cropping up to help people do things like judge house prices, survey neighborhoods and evaluate school districts, long before they ever snap the seat belt in their agents’ cars. With the nation’s housing boom expected to cool in some areas, experts say such offerings will only increase. And ultimately, the fact that consumers on their own have more power than ever to do some of the work of real estate agents could even help further drive down agents’ commissions. Many also expect online tools for house-hunters to become more creative and sophisticated. (more…)

search for : real estate client, real estate agent, Home listing, online service, house prices, school district

Real estate records account for the lion’s share of the work — and revenue — generated by the Register of Deeds. This is the place to go to find out who owned your house earlier and how much they paid for it.

While access to vital records is restricted because of identity-theft concerns, all real estate files are open to the public. However, finding land records can be more complicated because there are so many different search variables. A land description in legally acceptable terms is necessary to show exactly where land is and how many acres it contains. (more…)

search for : Real estate, Register of Deeds, identity-theft, land record, land description

The Winegrowers Association of Georgia has made the decision to pull out of the Corkscrew Festival, citing their inability to sell their product in Gainesville. As a result, April 29th’s event will be focused on the food and renamed the Chicken City Chicken Cook-off.

The Winegrowers Association decided to pull out of the event because Gainesville’s code enforces a state law prohibiting wineries from selling at the Festival by the bottle or case. There is a debate over the status of the law and possible exceptions. Some other Georgia cities allow such sales at similar festivals. (more…)

search for : Winegrowers Association of Georgia, Corkscrew Festival, Gainesville, Chicken City Chicken Cook-off, Georgia

As April 15 approaches, think about the ways you can make deductions for repairs, your mortgage interest or even take the famous home-office deduction.

Deducting your mortgage interest is one of the biggest freebies Uncle Sam gives you. But keep in mind that the longer you live in your home, the less valuable your deduction will be. That’s because most mortgages front-load the interest payments, meaning that as the years go by, your monthly payment will go more towards paying down the principle, and less towards interest on the mortgage loan. (more…)

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A real estate development bill pushed by lawmakers got new life late Monday on the day that many bills breathed their last.

State Rep. Larry O’Neal, R-Warner Robins, managed to find bipartisan support for his version of a plan to give taxing powers to residential real estate developers in government-approved improvement districts. House Bill 1323 passed easily, 121-37, after the House Minority leader spoke in favor of it. Rep. DuBose Porter, D-Dublin, was a co-sponsor of the bill, which he hopes will fare better in the Senate than a Senate version opposed solidly by Democrats there. (more…)

search for : real estate, development, Larry O’Neal, Warner Robins, taxing powers, residential real estate developer, House Bill 1323, DuBose Porter, Dublin, Democrats

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to temporarily close some recreation areas on Lake Lanier GA.

The corps says its current budget includes a 10 percent cut to all reservoirs such as Lanier. Some facilities at Allatoona Lake will also be closed. “We looked at a variety of cost cutting measures at these (lakes) to absorb the ten percent cut,” said Patrick Robbins, a spokesman for the corps’ Mobile district. “But when all was said and done, funds were not available to keep all areas open. At Lanier, Shady Grove, Bolding Mill and Chestnut Ride campgrounds will be closed entirely, as will the the Upper Overlook Park day use area. (more…)

search for : U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Lanier GA, Allatoona Lake, Mobile, Shady Grove, Bolding Mill, Chestnut Ride, Upper Overlook Park

With the announcement in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday night of Kia Automotive’s intent to build a $1.2 billion automobile plant just north of West Point, Georgia, city officials have started massive preparation plans.

For several years, the county has looked for industrial and business park sites. It could be too late to acquire land in the north part of the county along Interstate I-85, with the effect the plant announcement could have on property values. (more…)

search for : Seoul, South Korea, Kia, automobile plant, West Point, Georgia, industrial, business park, Interstate I-85, plant announcement, property value

Does a vacation home owner pay taxes on rental income?

People along the Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters Tournament takes place, rent their homes for fabulous amounts, but the tournament takes less than two weeks. People in this category can’t take any deductions against the income from their property for things like utilities and maintenance, but they don’t have to report any rental income. Some people make a lot of tax-free money each year renting their house for recurring events like the Masters. (more…)

search for : vacation home, rental income, Augusta National Golf Club, Masters Tournament, tournament, deductions

Traditionally, the only way to get your hands on the appreciated value of your home is to sell it, refinance the mortgage or borrow against it.

But having thousands of dollars equity isn’t like having the same amount in the bank. The value is real enough, but you also have to be really careful with it, says Eric Tyson, author of Mind Over Money: Your Path to Wealth and Happiness. ”You don’t want to go overboard spending money because you have wealth on paper,” he says. ”That’s where people get in trouble.” All the same, ”it’s part of your net worth,” he says. “If you don’t tap it or use it during your lifetime it will go to your heirs.” (more…)

search for : home, refinance, mortgage, borrow, equity, Eric Tyson, Mind Over Money: Your Path to Wealth and Happiness, net worth

As the real estate market slumps, adjustable-rate mortgage borrowers may be urged into into fixed-rate loans.

Some of the mortgage refinancing offers are bad deals, and high pressure is coming from some of the nation’s largest lenders. Borrowers may be urged by a large bank-affiliated finance company to hurry and lock into a fixed rate. “You better meet me at my office on Friday, the rates are going to rise!” On the surface, the deal may seem attractive. However, the proposed deal may increase the borrower’s debt significantly. In addition, the existing mortgage may have a prepayment penalty. (more…)

search for : real estate market, adjustable-rate mortgage, borrower, fixed-rate loan, mortgage refinancing, finance company, debt, prepayment penalty

The controlled flames of a prescribed fire have become the most essential ingredient for foresters and land managers working to restore and preserve forest ecosystems in the Georgia mountains and across Southeast.

Across the state of Georgia, about 1 million acres are burned each year, according to Neal Edmondson, prescribed fire program manager for the Georgia Forestry. A hefty percentage of those burns are on private land and conducted with some assistance from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Edmondson said that for property owners conducting burns in order to improve wildlife diversity, the Georgia Forestry Commission recommends dividing the property into thirds and burning one third each year on a three-year cycle. (more…)

search for : forester, land manager, forest ecosystem, Georgia mountains, Georgia, Georgia Forestry

The fastest-growing commodity in Florida farm country last year? Land values, which jumped 50% to 88%, depending on the area. While not quite as dramatic, a similar story has been playing out across the country. Rural real estate prices soared 11% to an average of $1,510 per acre from Jan. 1, 2004, to Jan. 1, 2005. That’s the fastest annual increase since 1981 and the biggest on record in dollar terms, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

A majority of buyers in some regions are real estate developers, individuals who want to convert a ranch or farm to a recreational purpose, such as hunting or fishing, or those who see land as a good investment given low interest rates. Farmland that could be immediately developed sold for a big premium in 2005 — more than $6,050 an acre, according to USDA. (more…)

search for : Florida farm country, Land values, Rural real estate, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, real estate developer, ranch, farm, hunting, fishing, good investment, interest rate

A conservation group has bought 299 acres of Georgia mountain land along the Etowah River and five streams in Lumpkin County GA.

Candance Stoughton is the Etowah River project manager for the Nature Conservancy. She says the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to use the land for a mitigation bank. That’s property on which a builder can restore stream banks or wetlands to compensate for damage it does elsewhere. The conservancy plans to buy an addtional 180 acres nearby that could be used for the same purpose. The land is surrounded by the Chattahooche National Forest in an area that is deemed a high priority conservation area. The Etowah River is part of the Coosa River basin — one of the richest in the United States because of the variety of land it contains. (more…)

search for : conservation group, Georgia mountain land, Etowah River, Lumpkin County GA, Nature Conservancy, Georgia Department of Transportation, mitigation bank, Chattahooche National Forest, Coosa River

Many homeowners believe that the initial listing price isn’t that important because the price can always be adjusted down later.

If most buyers first viewed your property because of a newspaper ad, a magazine, the internet, brochures, or the sign in your front yard, the initial listing price probably would not make a difference. The house would always be “new” to those seeing it. The initial listing price does matter. (more…)

search for : homeowner, property, house