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Archive for July, 2009
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
The above video may be among the most disquieting 4 minutes of your day.
Home burglaries are on the rise and many burglars are using a lock-picking technique called “Lock Bumping” to enter into homes. Using a special key and a hammer-like tool, pin-tumbler locks can be “broken” in less than a second, according to NBC’s The Today Show, 95 percent of U.S. homes are “protected” by such locks.
In the video, you can see how it’s done first-hand. After the video, you’ll probably want to start looking for new locks for doors.
Now, replacing locks can be a do-it-yourself project, but you may want to leave it to a professional. Rather than searching the Yellow Pages for a locksmith, however, consider using Angie’s List instead — the site features an unbiased “customer review” section that you can’t get from the phone book.
If you’ve never used Angie’s List, note that it does require a membership fee, but annual and multi-year memberships come with a 110% Money-Back Guarantee. If the service isn’t everything you hoped, there’s very little risk.
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For May, the Case-Shiller Index showed home values up in 15 of its 20 tracked U.S. markets. It’s the first time in nearly 3 years that the index showed such strength and a signal that home prices may be turning higher for good.
According to a Case-Shiller Index spokesperson, “this could be a signal that home price declines are finally stabilizing.”
However, just because the Case-Shiller Index indicates home values are stabilizing, doesn’t necessarily make it true. Real estate is a local phenomenon and the Case-Shiller Index tracks just 20 U.S. cities. Here in the North Georgia Mountains, we have seen a steady increase practically from the first of the year beginning in February. In Towns, Union, Fannin and Gilmer counties our Median Sales Price has dropped 12% but appears to be stabilizing. Even better news, we have experienced a 10% increase in the number of homes sold, and a 49% increase in the number of homes under contract. It sure looks like we can begin to say that we have reached or at least are very near “The Bottom.”
Residents of every other town are unaccounted for.
Additionally, even within the 20 tracked cities, there are distinct neighborhoods and pockets that are under-performing the general market — just as there are those that are over-performing. The Case-Shiller Index can’t get that granular.
Despite its imperfections, the Case-Shiller Index remains a helpful, broader measurement of U.S. real estate. Economists believe that housing led the U.S. into the recession and they believe housing will lead us out, too.
If that’s true, May’s figures are the next step in the right direction.
Please come back to “The Porch” often for updated North Georgia Mountain Real Estate Market Reports. If you have any questions or concerns about anything in this article, please contact me at 706.994.8686. or you can email me at [email protected].
Make it a GREAT day!
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The government’s First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit expires December 1, 2009.
If you expect to use the program in conjunction with a home purchase, therefore, you may want to consider yourself officially “on the clock”.
Assuming a 60-day window between contract and closing, there are now 77 days left to find a home and go under contract for it.
The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit refunds up to $8,000 at Tax Time for qualified home buyers. A few of the program’s qualification criteria include:
- Home buyer must not have owned a primary residence in the past 36 months
- The home may not be purchased from a family member
- The household adjusted gross income must be below $95,000 for single tax filers and $170,000 for joint tax filers
The tax credit itself is limited to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less.
Remember, though: The refund is a true tax credit — not a deduction. This means that a taxpayer owing $8,000 to the IRS and claiming the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit would owe the IRS nothing on April 15, 2010.
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11th Annual Butternut Creek Festival
When: Saturday July 18th – Sunday July 19th, 2009
Where: Meeks Park in Blairsville, GA.
The Butternut Creek Festival is one of the finest juried arts and crafts shows in the Southeast. The two day festival showcases the work of 65 artists and craftsmen in categories from basketry, fine art, fabric art, and decorative painting, to glass, jewelry, metal working, photography, pottery, and woodturning. Held annually at Meeks Park in Blairsville, Georgia, you don’t want to miss it!
This is a wonderful North Georgia Mountain Festival. Great Food…Family Fun. Come to Blairsville this weekend and see what all the fuss is about!
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Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Down economies reduce consumer spending, creating a bind for retailers. As excess inventory collects dust, companies have little choice but to drop prices in hopes of selling more product.
For the bargain shopper with extra cash right now, there are some terrific deals to be had out there. This 4-minute piece from NBC’s The Today Show highlights a few of them.
- Wines over $25 per bottle reduced up to 50%
- High-quality diamonds reduced up to 30%
- Summer rental homes reduced up to 50%
Furniture is another discounted item.
Now, these aren’t everyday-type purchases, but when the economy turns around for good, the bargain-priced items highlighted in the video are expected to return to their former price levels.
If you have the means, therefore, consider taking advantage while costs are down.
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Late last year I had the good fortune of meeting Dan Levin and his family from the Orlando Florida area. What a GREAT Family! I got to tell you, we had a blast in both looking for property and negotiating for it. To tell you the truth, I do not know which we had more fun doing.
Dan and his family purchased a Toccoa River Front Home along one of the most highly desired stretches of the River. Their River Home is located just outside of Blue Ridge, GA. in an area known as Fish Trap Trail. Named appropriately because of the 3 natural Indian Fish Traps along the Toccoa River . If you are not familiar with exactly what a Fish Trap is, it is where the Indians would stack the rocks along the river bed to form an arrowhead like shape to trap the fish so that they could spear them or catch the fish in a basket. These Fish Traps are still somewhat used today, except you use a Fly Rod instead of a Spear!
The Toccoa River Cabin is the perfect place for you or your family to come and stay while visiting the North Georgia Mountains. Even if you are not an avid Fly-Fisherman, it is a very warm and inviting Mountain Home. The Levin’s have really done a great job with the decor’ and preparing this River Front Home to accommodate various lifestyles and guests. You will enjoy River Front and Mountain Views and Relaxation! Take a Tour of the Toccoa River Cabin and see for yourself, it is a GREAT place to stay.
So, if you are a Fisherman and looking for a place to stay in Blue Ridge Georgia, you can’t ask for much better than this. Nearby is the infamous Curtis Switch Bridge. Anybody that Fishes knows where Curtis Switch is located. There are so many other Things To Do in and around Blue Ridge, and I am sure there is something for everyone.
Please be sure to check out what Dan, Linda, Alexander and Zachary had to say about me!
If you end up making a GREAT choice and plan your stay at The Toccoa River Cabin, please come back to The Porch and let everyone else know just how wonderful your stay was in the North Georgia Mountains!
Make it an AWESOME day!
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Chad,
SIMPLY AMAZING!
You are hands down the best Realtor that we have ever worked with.
Your customer service is second to none and we would not have been able
to purchase this home with your your expert guidance, persistence and
local knowledge and assistant.
” We Loved the Video that you posted showing us the home again”
Thank you for everything that you did for our family!
Just know that we consider you a friend and look forward to seeing you
when ever we are up for some rest and relaxation.
You are the Best!
Dan, Linda, Alexander and Zachary Levin
Dan,
You have an AWESOME family and it was my pleasure I can assure you to have the opportunity to work with you and Linda. I so much appreciate your loyalty to me before, during and especially after the sale!
I am also grateful to be considered a friend, because afterall, isn’t that what it is all about in the end! I hope that you and your family have years and years of enjoyment in your new North Georgia Mountain Home on the Toccoa River. Blue Ridge, GA. and I welcome you!
Hope to spend some time with you guys soon. Make it an AWESOME day and everyday after!
Chad
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Happy Birthday America!
When: Friday July 3, 2009 at 9:30
Where: Meeks Park in Blairsville, GA.
Don’t forget – The Blairsville Fireworks Display sponsored by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce will be held Friday, July 3rd at Meeks Park . The show will begin at approximately 9:30pm.
As a special treat this year, we invite eveyone to tune in to Mountain Country 103.9 FM for a live broadcast from Meeks Park beginning at 8:30pm. Listeners will enjoy an uninterrupted musical tribute to America’s Birthday!
The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce and Everyone in Blairsville would really like to Thank the following contributors that together have made this Celebration possible:
Nantahala Bank and Trust Loan Production Office
Re/Max Enotah Realty
Blairsville Pets
Busy Bee Printing and Signs
Union County Recreation Department
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Fireworks Celebration at Lake Blue Ridge
When: Saturday July 4th, 2009 4:00 P.M. til Dusk – Fireworks Begin!
Where: Lake Blue Ridge Marina
Honestly, this is one of the Best Fireworks Shows in all of North Georgia! Beautiful setting just off of the shores of Lake Blue Ridge , with hundreds and hundreds of boats floating close by, it is a spectacular sight to see. If you are in Blue Ridge, you do not want to miss it!
515 east to Windy Ridge Road (Conoco station & Kentucky Fried Chicken) go to flashing red light turn left, follow Old Hwy 76 to the Marina
Barbeque and live music from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fireworks display at dusk.
For more information, call 706-632-2618
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Fireworks Independence Day Celebration
When: Friday July 3, 2009 Approximately 9:30 P.M. (Dark)
Where: Tater Hill, McCaysville, GA.
The Tri-Cities Business Association continues a long standing Copper Basin tradition of celebrating our nation’s independence with a fireworks display from the top of “Tater Hill” in McCaysville a half an hour past sunset (approximately 9:30 pm). The fireworks can be seen from almost all areas of town. Stores & Restaurants will be open late. Other activities during the Independence Day weekend include an old fashioned street parade on Main Street in Ducktown, a Pancake Breakfast in Epworth and Miner’s Homecoming activities all weekend.
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